Arsenal stun Man City as Arteta ignites achievable third raid for superstar who’ll never play for Guardiola again

Arsenal are hoping to make it a trio of raids on Man City, with a report revealing they’re targeting a gettable superstar who’s likely played his final match under Pep Guardiola.

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal sanctioned moves for Man City pair Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus last summer. Neither player were regular starters at the Etihad, though their performances this season have shown just how strong City’s strength in depth truly is.

Indeed, Zinchenko quickly established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back at the expense of Kieran Tierney. Jesus, meanwhile, has earned rave reviews for the way he’s led the line and is the first line of defence when it comes to Arsenal’s press.

The moves have been roaring successes thus far, and per 90min, Arsenal hope to make it a hattrick.

The online outlet state Arsenal have joined the cluster of clubs chasing a deal for versatile full-back, Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese superstar, 28, was named in each of the previous two PFA Premier League teams of the season. As such, it came as something of a shock to see him unceremoniously loaned out to Bayern Munich in January.

Guardiola’s switch to a 3-2-4-1 formation left Cancelo without a natural position in the system. Guardiola prefers centre-backs such as Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake for the wide berths in the back three, while John Stones is the favoured partner of Rodri in the midfield two when in possession.

Bayern hold an option to buy in Cancelo’s loan deal worth €70m (approx. £61m). However, Bayern have publicly stated they’ll not activate such a hefty clause.

That’s left the door ajar for other suitors to pounce. According to 90min, Arsenal are among them.

Arteta and Arsenal ‘keen’; no way back for Cancelo at Man City

They state the Gunners are ‘keen’ to sign Cancelo who manager Mikel Arteta worked briefly with during his time as Pep’s No 2 at the Etihad.

Arteta reportedly believes Cancelo would mesh well with what he’s building in north London. He’d also add a far greater attacking threat at right-back given Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are centre-backs by trade.

Other suitors for Cancelo include Bayern (if a discount on the buy option can be secured), Real Madrid and Barcelona. The latter would only be able to sign Cancelo on loan with a view to turning the deal permanent further down the line.

In any case, what is clear is Cancelo will be on the move this summer. 90min report he’s ‘unlikely’ to be reintegrated into Guardiola’s plans and that echoes what trusted reporter Ben Jacobs exclusively told TEAMtalk in mid-March.

“Man City are going to be looking at a left-back, that’s for sure, because Joao Cancelo doesn’t seem particularly intent on coming back,” said Jacobs.

“It’s only a loan deal but there’s a very strong possibility that he doesn’t play another game for Man City after falling out with Pep Guardiola.”

Man City’s loss may well be Arsenal’s gain for a third time this summer.

TRANSFER GOSSIP: Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal rocked by new £148m exit clause for top attacking target; ‘concrete’ Tottenham interest in Roma centre-back