Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta eyes new transfer target with talks 'scheduled' amid contract decision

Arsenal have a short turnaround in the Premier League as they look to bounce back from defeat to West Ham United.

The Gunners will not have an easy task as the opposition gets stronger for a trip to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest. There will be little time to prepare before Wednesday's fixture and Nuno Espirito Santo's side will also be bidding to bounce back after being put to the sword by Newcastle.

Mikel Arteta's side will want to extend their six-point advantage over Forest before heading into a weekend off. The north Londoners will quickly need to regroup to keep the title race alive.

Mirror Football takes a look at some of the news and rumours currently surrounding the Emirates.

Gunners enter transfer race

Arsenal are considering a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, per reports. The Netherlands international has yet to agree a new deal and is set to enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old has been persistenly linked with a move away from the club in recents seasons but has established himself as part of Hansi Flick's plans this term. Nevertheless, amid Barca's financial situation, the club do not want to lose the player for free and as a result a sale is possible.

Liverpool are said to have registered their interest, with the Gunners seemingly alter to a good opportunity. De Jong's representatives have yet to engage in talks with sporting director Deco but have a meeting scheduled.

Though De Jong hopes to remain in Catalonia, there will be pressure to agree a deal before the summer transfer window. Otherwse, his side could accept a cut-price deal.

Arsenal's biggest problem

Danny Murphy believes Arsenal have a more pressing issue than their lack of a striker. The former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder believes the side's disciplinary record is holding them back, after Myles Lewis-Skelly picked up Arsenal's fifth Premier League red card of the season.

The Gunners have dropped 10 points in games where they have had a player handed their marching orders. Murphy told Match of the Day: “I think it’s inevitable that any top team missing four of your forward line and Odegaard will be lower than you’ve been on these numbers.

“But for me, the bigger problem has been their discipline. They’ve had five sending-offs – more than anyone else – and they’ve dropped ten points in those matches.

“That’s the gap from them to the top, so people are talking transfer window, fair enough, but the bigger problem for Arsenal this season has been discipline. That’s a huge amount of points to drop.”

Star 'forced' out

Aaron Ramsey has revealed he was ready to extend his stay before seeing a contract offer rescinded following Arsene Wenger's exit from the club.

The former Gunner, who spent more than a decade at the Emirates, has represented Juventus, Rangers, Nice and Cardiff City since he departed in 2019. With his contract ticking down however, a January offer from Juve only looked more tempting.

“I wanted to commit to Arsenal, but then for whatever reason, what happened I don’t know, the new manager came in and then the contract wasn’t there anymore,” Ramsey said, as reported by TBR Football.

“When Juventus came calling then in January, you know, I had to sort of think about life after Arsenal and secure that as well. It was an experience I was excited about.”

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