Man City reunion, 57-goal superstar - Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal XI after £200m summer outlay

Mikel Arteta may be refusing to give up on the Premier League title race this season despite Arsenal being 15 points behind Liverpool at the summit.

The Gunners would be forgiven for having one eye on next season with it clear where they need to strengthen after a topsy turvy campaign.

Arteta's side have been plagued with injuries in the final third and Arsenal chiefs know they need to strengthen that area of the pitch if they want to realise their Premier League title ambitions.

Agreeing a transfer for Alexander Isak would be a big step towards achieving that goal but striking a deal may prove difficult. In an ideal world, the Gunners would go all out to sign the Swedish international if a move were within the parameters of Financial Fair Play.

"Alexander Isak is the hottest property in the Premier League I think it's fair to say and that's because of his goal scoring record and what he's done at Newcastle United," David Ornstein told NBC Sport. "The first thing I'd like to point out is Newcastle have no intention of selling Isak.

"They've got him under contract until 2028 and they pay him very handsomely and if anything, they want to renew his deal and build with him for the future, not without him. However, what he's doing on the pitch is attracting interest from elsewhere.

"Mikel Arteta, for example, would love to sign him for Arsenal. He's at the top of their list if they're going to recruit a striker this summer, which they intend to. They've got other options as well who they may have to turn to if this proves impossible.

"A club like Liverpool is interested in him if Newcastle genuinely were to listen to offers for him, we just don't know that yet because it's not on their agenda. The talk around the industry is a fee of £150million even to discuss it with Newcastle.

"But that's all hypothetical at this point. It's a situation we're going to have to watch very closely. It may have an impact depending on whether Newcastle qualify for the Champions League next season or not.

"Because we regard Alexander Isak as a Champions League level player and that will be an interesting factor. It makes these final weeks and months of the season critically important."

Isak has scored an impressive 57 goals in 98 appearances since moving to St. James' Park with 22 of those coming in 31 outings this season.

Christian Falk claims Arsenal are interested in a move for Bayern winger Leroy Sane this summer, with the German international out of contract at the end of the campaign.

The 29-year-old was at Manchester City with Mikel Arteta and the pair could have a reunion at the Emirates next season with Bayern not negotiating a new deal. Sane has made 34 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring eight goals and registering four assists but hasn't been a consistent starter for Vincent Kompany's side.

The Gunners have also been linked with a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with Arteta's side reportedly agreeing terms with the Spanish international. The arrival of sporting director Andrea Berta could play a key part in any potential deal for the midfielder, given he'll know Zubimendi having watched him take on his former club Atletico Madrid.

If Arsenal were to sign the aforementioned trio, they'd likely have to spend a combined fee in the region of £200million, with Zubimendi having a £50million release clause inserted into his contract.

The Gunners know they need to make a statement and give Arteta the striker he's craved in recent windows, doing so would create a frightening starting XI.

Arsenal starting XI for 2025/26 : Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi; Sane, Isak, Saka.