Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka makes it clear which Arsenal or Tottenham prefer
Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of the Bayern Munich star who has made private his feelings about a move to the Gunners.
Arsenal continue their four-legged charge after a win at Brighton
It wasn’t great, but it rarely is when you’re seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with eight games to play.
Arsenal traveled to the Amex on Wednesday night without William Saliba and Martin Odegaard, who were sent off the pitch by a furious Brighton crowd, and sent off for a long time.
Brighton had the lion’s share of the ball, created the better chances, and could not complain if they felt they deserved something in the game. They found nothing.
Instead, Bukayo Saka solved it within nine minutes.
Receiving the ball from Jurrien Timber on the edge of the area, he took the goal and his effort deflected off Carlos Baleba and into the legs of Bart Verbruggen. Almost a third of Saka’s Arsenal 300 went, and the result was well sealed.
Mikel Arteta’s side stayed in, handled the pressure, rode their luck at times, and came away with three valuable points while Man City dropped two at the Etihad against Nottingham Forest.
Berta immediately calls to sign “powerful” Inter Milan star for Arsenal after Arteta bid
The Gunners are stepping up their pursuit of a striker.
On paper, another disappointing victory. In the context of the title race, it’s another powerful night to decide.
Arteta will now go around and manage his team carefully as the games come bigger and faster. Saturday will bring the fifth round of the FA Cup at Mansfield Town, a trip that will give the young players minutes and keep the quadruple dream alive.
Then comes the small matter of the first leg of the Champions League Last-16 at Bayer Leverkusen next Wednesday before the Premier League starts again.
It’s the type of system that needs depth, and it’s the type of club that Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has been eyeing.
Leon Goretzka dreams of joining Arsenal this summer
That’s according to well-placed Bayern insider Christian Falk, who reports that Arsenal are currently leading the race to sign Goretzka this summer – and more importantly, the player himself wants the move to happen.
Falk reports that while Arsenal did not submit a formal bid in January, despite reports of a move at the time, they made it clear to those in Goretzka’s camp that they were monitoring his situation and could return.
Atlético Madrid were already in serious talks with the German national, with their sporting director making the trip to Munich in person, but it is the Premier League that Goretzka has his heart set on, and within that, Arsenal sit high on his list.
“He would love to play for Arsenal,” Falk wrote in the Q&A.
“In his heart, he feels that this could be the next perfect club.”
Falk continues, painting a picture of a player who is fully aware of how a move can suit his style. Goretzka has reportedly been a fan of English football for a long time and believes that the intensity and rigor of the Premier League matches his style of play.
“I heard that he likes the Premier League and the way he plays matches English football,” continued Falk.
“However, he is not focused on one club and only one team this summer. If Arsenal are there, he would be more than happy to sit at the table and listen to offers. Tottenham are also interested, and that would be an option, but Spurs are not as attractive an option as Arsenal at the moment. Arsenal are playing very well at the moment, and they are in the Champions League.”
At the age of 31, with a Bayern career coming to an end, the prospect of competing for major trophies in a new place is a powerful draw.
Whether Arteta makes a legitimate move remains to be seen, but Goretzka has been praised as a ‘machine’ with ‘exemplary behavior’ and attitude behind the scenes (Sami Khedira).
An experienced winner of his ilk would only add to Arteta’s already impressive dressing room, and reports suggest the soon-to-be-free agent is willing to shell out a hefty salary of around £300,000-a-week to £106,000-a-week to fuel his next move.
Wolves are desperate to extend the contract of “outstanding” star as Arsenal plan devastating attack
The Gunners are planning a summer move for the Wolverhampton Wanderers star.
