Last year the Gunners ‘shoot’ themselves in the foot at the end of the season and were left without European football. That proved to be a blessing in disguise as Arsenal is the leader of the Premier League so far, with ‘only’ three competitions to play for. In the meantime, the Gunners crashed out of the Carabao and FA Cup and are left with only one competition. But unlike last season, Mikel Arteta’s man cannot fail in their Europa competition quest. Even if they are not crowned champions in May, the Gunners are destined for a season in Europe. Currently Newcastle holds the last remaining UEFA place and Arsenal is 16 points above them. So, in reality, Arteta is already looking to strengthen the squad in order to be competitive in Europe next season. And the transfer list is ready.Declan Rice’s game by numbers vs Nottingham Forest:◉ 55 passes completed (most)◉ 11x possession won (most)◉ 4 chances created (most)◎ 67 touches◎ 3 duels won◎ 2 clearances◎ 1 goal◎ 0.06 xGHe only misplaced one pass all game. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/LkyJKJoHgz— Squawka (@Squawka) February 25, 2023 According to The Times, the Spanish tactician is ready to streghten his thin squad for next season, when four competitions will be played and he looks for up to four players: two midfielders, a winger and a left back. The biggest prize should be Declan Rice. The West Ham midfielder dynamo is certain to leave the London Stadium in May and there are two suitors: his former club Chelsea and Arsenal. The price won’t be cheap – 90 million euros, which would mean that the Gunners would finally break their current record, held by a French flop Nicolas Pepe, who was brought in from Lille in 2019 for 81 million euros.Arsenal have a lot of sauce, now they should have RiceApart from Rice, Arteta will attack Moises Caicedo once more. Brighton resisted selling the Equadorian midfielder in January, but a June move is as certain as Rice’s. The Gunners offered 80 millions for Caicedo and will try to get him once more as the season finishes. Arteta and sporting director Edu will be forced to sell as well, and British media already named Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares as players who are probably gonna leave Emirates in May 2023.PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHDAY 7Wednesday:22:45 Arsenal – Everton23:00 Liverpool – Wolverhampton
