Summary

Live Reporting

Written by Craig Nelson, Ben Ramsdale, Ben Collins & Tyrese King

  1. Sesko a long-term option

    Sami Mokbel
    BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

    Benjamin Sesko celebrates after a goal by RB LeipzigEPA

    Arsenal have had Benjamin Sesko on their radar for a while now and the forward was close to joining the club last summer.

    Arsenal enquired again in January, but the German club were adamant they had no intention of selling and the Gunners did not want to antagonise them before a potential negotiation this summer.

    Slovenia international Sesko has scored 26 goals this season - already an improvement on the 23 he hit last year. At 21, he fits the ideal age profile for Arsenal in terms of financial and technical growth.

  2. Get Involved

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    When Arteta took over at Arsenal, the club was a shambles. We were 10th in the league and on a downwards trajectory with a squad of has-beens eating up massive wages while putting in minimum effort. If you'd have told me then in his first 5 years, Arteta would turn us into regular title contenders while winning a trophy in the process, I'd have snapped your hand off. The fact that finishing 2nd is now considered a disappointment is testament to how far we've come under Arteta.

    Nathan, Oxford

  3. Gyokeres a realistic and favoured option

    Sami Mokbel
    BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

    Victor Gyokeres with the Portuguese league trophy after Sporting's title win in 2025Reuters

    The appointment of Berta has resulted in Victor Gyokeres' stock rising, with sources in recent weeks indicating there is considerable internal backing for a move for the Swede, despite much of the groundwork having been completed on a deal for Benjamin Sesko.

    Like Sesko, Gyokeres has a release clause as well and the indications are their clubs are willing to negotiate lower fees.

    At this stage, sources suggest Gyokeres, who has scored 38 league goals this season, is the most economical signing of the two.

    But prior to Andrea Berta's arrival at Arsenal there were concerns whether Gyokeres' form in Portugal would translate to top-level performances in the Premier League.

    Similarly, the fact he will turn 27 before next season presents a financial dilemma given the likely outlay.

  4. Isak the dream target

    Sami Mokbel
    BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

    Alexander Isak celebrates scoring a goal for NewcastleReuters

    It is no secret Arsenal want to spend a large portion of their summer budget on a new striker.

    At the top of Arteta's wishlist is Newcastle frontman Alexander Isak, and a move for the Sweden international has almost universal backing from those behind the scenes at Emirates Stadium.

    Well-placed sources have told BBC Sport that Isak would be open to a move to London, though he is likely to have other options - with Liverpool also interested.

    All of his suitors are likely to run into the same obstacle: cost.

    There is an acknowledgement at Arsenal that signing Isak would wipe out the vast majority of their budget - and with other positions to strengthen, a deal for the 25-year-old may be unlikely.

  5. Get Involved - 'Arteta has built up the squad gradually rather than splash billions'

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    It seems like Arteta has built up the squad gradually rather than splash billions in a calendar year. He's sorted the defence, then the midfield. It's up front where we need to reinforce and replace. I wouldn't be surprised if the club sold Jesus and bought both Sesko and Gyokeres. Unpopular opinion, but I think Isak is overpriced and injury-prone. Alongside these chaps, a winger and a Partey replacement would set us up nicely for next season. Arteta has done a great job, and it'll be a source of concern for opposing teams when they face an Arsenal side with a deadly striker in the starting 11.

    Andy, Wallingford

  6. Who are Arsenal linked with?

    Ipswich Town striker Liam DelapGetty Images

    Arsenal go into the summer transfer window with their top priority being exactly as it was back in January - a new striker.

    With co-chairman Josh Kroenke already promising some investment, these are just some of the names rumoured to be on the radar of Mikel Arteta.

    • Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
    • Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
    • Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
    • Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon)
    • Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)
    • Nico Williams (Athletic Club)

  7. Arsenal 'still haven’t solved' centre forward problem

    Les Ferdinand
    Former Tottenham striker on Sky Sports

    If you look at the state of the injuries that they are getting, if people are getting the same injury, then they are doing something wrong in training.

    The point being made about a centre forward? I think people have been saying that for years now, so it’s not last year’s problem, it’s the year before, and you still haven’t solved it.

    I find it hard to understand that you have a [Myles] Lewis-Skelly and [Ethan] Nwaneri, who are young players coming through the system, but you don’t have a centre forward at Arsenal who can go in and play three or four games and get a run like they had.

  8. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Arteta is obviously taking the team in the right direction, but without proper backing that momentum could die away. The club dropped the ball in the transfer window in January + last summer, so when the bad luck hit there was nothing to fall back on this season. Arsenal can't afford to repeat their mistake this summer.

    Gerry, North London

  9. 'We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better'

    Arsenal

    Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke: "We all want to win it [the Premier League title].

    "We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season.

    "Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We're as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club."

  10. 'Arteta has to be in the top two by Christmas, or they will go for someone else'

    Paul Merson
    Former Arsenal midfielder speaking on Sky Sports

    Everyone wants to play for Arsenal. People come to Arsenal, so it’s not like they’re stretching for players, and they have the money. Next year, Mikel Arteta has to be in the top two by Christmas, or they will go for someone else.

    It’s all about timings. When it’s your time, you’ve got to make it count. These things go in circles. Look at Liverpool, they went thirty years without a title, and then all of a sudden, they start winning trophies again.

  11. Get Involved

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    Is Jarrod from Wigan aware of our performances against the 'big' teams in the last few years? I don't remember the last time Arsenal lost in the league to City or Liverpool. The must win, high-pressure games are not the issue. Its weak narrative from rival fans. Squad depth is the issue. Plain to see. There's a reason why people are happy with Arteta.

    Billy, London

  12. 'Arteta is under pressure at the start of next season'

    Clinton Morrison
    Former Republic of Ireland striker on Football Daily

    This was their best opportunity [to win a Premier League title]. If you look at the points they have got over recent seasons then you can see they have been nowhere near good enough this season.

    They have been pushing Manchester City right to the wire, but not this season. I credit Liverpool because they have been consistent but I think this campaign was a great opportunity or Arsenal.

    I know they have had injuries but every club has. For me, I say it every time I am asked and I just do not see how you can win the Premier League without a number nine.

    That is what Arsenal need and that is probably what they will strengthen in the summer. But for me, Mikel Arteta is under pressure at the start of next season.

    The club will back him this summer and allow him to sign players but he needs to start winning trophies and in particular the Premier League.

    They are the 'nearly club' at the moment, so they need to be better.

  13. 'Would anyone like to take my place?'

    Get Involved: WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Lewy in Gateshead: Hello BBC, I am the groom you were discussing earlier. I also missed the Carabao Cup final because of my stag do! This is a big game, would anyone like to take my place? She is called Gemma, 5’3 with dark hair and very pretty, thanks.

    Wedding picGetty Images

  14. Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Speaking of bridesmaids, Martin...

    You've teed up Lewy from Gateshead who has kindly got in touch.

  15. Arsenal leadership 'can't all come from Arteta'

    Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

    Martin Keown
    MOTD2 pundit & former Arsenal defender

    Being the bridesmaid so often is the worst feeling in football and it takes a special group to come back from having that happen repeatedly, and win.

    I was lucky because I was part of a special group of players at Arsenal, but we still had to work on it.

    In the summer of 2001, Arsene Wenger brought in a psychologist who said to us that we were second best because the statistics proved we were.

    We weren't very happy about that, but then he told us that he did not believe that the statistics were telling the truth.

    He looked around the dressing room and said we have got World Cup winners in here, and you have all won trophies in the past. His message was that there was more under the bonnet, we just needed to find it.

    It was a clever move by Wenger and the parallels in Arsenal's current position means it is something Arteta could try too, but it can't all come from the manager - it is down to the players to respond in the right way

    I remember being on the Millennium Stadium pitch after we had just lost the 2001 FA Cup final to Liverpool and thinking 'well this can't happen again', and it didn't.

    We came back to Cardiff the following year and beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup then, a few days later, we went to Old Trafford and beat Manchester United to win the Premier League too.

  16. Get Involved - 'They're on a consistent trajectory, rather than an upwards one'

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Not sure why Arteta says they're on the right trajectory? Arsenal will finish second this year, but are just trailing behind Liverpool instead of City. They're on a consistent trajectory, rather than an upwards one.

    JD

    Arteta has done a great job but I think the team need to win some thing next year. Will always support them whatever as life long Gooner.

    Charles (Arsenal)

  17. Gunners to 'make sure the ones upstairs do what they have they do'

    Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

    Arsenal

    Asked by Sky Sports about how thorough the post-season analysis will be, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: "Like always, it's nothing different to any [other] season."

    On what will be done next: "Finish the season, go to the beach, enjoy a few days, and make sure the ones upstairs do what they have to do."

  18. Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport

    Love that from you, Dave.

    Thumbs up for "Ey up," thumbs down for "Aup" - the real debate of the day.

    Message in calling me a donut if you couldn't care less.

  19. Get Involved

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Dave: I'm from Derbyshire and it's definitely "Ay up".

  20. 'There’s no hiding place next year'

    Gary Neville
    Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports

    They have to win trophies next season, they know that. There’s no hiding place next year. They have had reasons this season why they haven’t competed as well as they would have liked, but the fact of the matter is that they have fallen short, and this can’t keep continuing to happen.

    Arsenal are a great football club and they have maintained correctly with the stability of Mikel Arteta over four, five or six years, and they are a good group of players with a good style of play, but they need to get over the line next season, and it’s really obvious they need to improve and strengthen in midfield and attack.