Arsenal identify THREE positions to strengthen in the summer in wake of Champions League exit, with significant funds to be made available for transfers

 Arsenal have identified three priority positions to strengthen as Mikel Arteta plans changes to his squad with the aim of breaking into Europe’s elite.

The Gunners crashed out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night but are already planning to revamp their team ahead of next season as they look to crack the big time.

It is no secret that Arsenal want a new striker this summer, but intriguingly they have also placed a new left-back and midfielder on their summer checklist.

Arsenal will release significant funds this summer, with their spending on incomings to be supplemented by a number of exits.

News of the club’s search for a left-back arrives at a time where there is some doubt over Oleksandr Zinchenko’s long-term future under Arteta, although the Spaniard offered a resounding backing of the Ukrainian defender earlier this week.

Arsenal are prepared to spend significant funds on a striker, a left-back, and a midfielder

Among their targets for a new striker are Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon centre forward Viktor Gyokeres.

They also admire Premier League duo Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak, who play for Aston Villa and Newcastle respectively, but both deals are riddled with difficulties. Their long-term interest in Ivan Toney has simmered.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has major backing with Arsenal’s recruitment team.

There will also be a focus on selling peripheral players with Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Thomas Partey among the players who could be sacrificed.

Ramsdale has interest from Newcastle and Chelsea, whilst clubs from abroad are also monitoring his situation.

Crystal Palace and West Ham have admired Nketiah and his fellow academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe, who may also be targeted by rival clubs this summer.

If Nelson is sold, the club will look at replacing him with a new winger. Wolves attacker Pedro Neto is among their serious targets out wide.

Partey, whose time at the Emirates has been ruined by injury problems, will have options in Saudi Arabia.

Arsenal remained in Germany on Thursday afternoon, where they underwent a recovery session, but were scheduled to return last night ahead of their final training day at London Colney on Friday before the weekend clash at Wolves, where defeat could strike a fatal blow to their Premier League title challenge.