Arsenal can sign third ex-Man City ace as final piece to title puzzle for Arteta

It is no secret that Mikel Arteta is a big fan of signing players who he knows well and has already worked closely with before. For many, seeing Arsenal pluck Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City was only going to end with one outcome; success.

Indeed, Arsenal boss Arteta made it a burning priority for the two stars who he coached in his previous role at the Etihad to be signed and brought promptly to north London.

The hierarchy at the Emirates dutifully complied, signed both players, and the Gunners very nearly won the Premier League. The Arsenal of the 2022/23 season became a beast like no other and now, after investing massively once again in the transfer window, Arteta is dead set on going all the way and winning the big one.

Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber had already been acquired before a British record £105m coup for Declan Rice was pulled off this summer, and all of a sudden Arsenal are looking like one of the leading forces in world football.

A missing piece however still remains, in that the Gunners would be well served by bringing in a multi-faceted forward who has the ability to play across the attacking lines while also dropping into midfield when required.

And thus, it begs the question whether Arteta could once again revert to what he knows best and attempt to sign a former Man City ace – this time in the shape of 23-year-old Spain international Ferran Torres.

The youngster has been linked with the Gunners on multiple occasions, and was reported to be close to a move to the Emirates before he eventually left City and penned a deal with his boyhood club Barcelona.

Arteta, however, has kept a close eye on the versatile ace.

Recent reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, in conjuction with Caught Offside, claim that cash-strapped Barca would be open to sitting down at the negotiation table with the Gunners.

Torres sealed a return to Spain to the tune of £45m when Barca concluded a deal with City, though a sizeable Arsenal offer to enable the La Liga side to recoup most of the fee, if not all, would be hugely persuading. The player still remains some way from being the first name on the team-sheet.

The 23-year-old is well versed in the style of play of which Arsenal are accustomed, given its many parallels with City’s Guardiola-ball approach.

Torres, who already has Premier League experience, has the ability to provide a vital foil for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, while also offering a link-up option ahead of playmaker Martin Odegaard in midfield.

Speaking in the summer of 2020 when he arrived in English football, Torres boldly outlined his ambitions to be “among the best in the world.” 

Returning to the top flight of the most competitive football league in Europe would certainly go some way to giving him the opportunity to come good on his pledge, while also delivering Arteta the title medal he so dearly craves.