Arteta targets Napoli forward as ‘extra reinforcement’ at Arsenal

Joe Williams
Andrea Petagna SPAL Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is interested in bringing Napoli forward Andrea Petagna to Arsenal this summer, according to reports in Italy.

The Gunners lifted their 14th FA Cup at the beginning of this month, ensuring the feel-good factor returned at The Emirates after an underwhelming league campaign.

Despite the success, however, a number of key issues remain in Arteta’s squad ahead of the new season.


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It now seems likely that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will put pen to paper over a new contract to remain at Arsenal after rumours he could leave to join Barcelona.

There is still speculation that Alexandre Lacazette could leave this summer with Juventus reportedly interested in taking him to Italy.

And now Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) claim Arsenal have ‘come forward’ for Napoli’s Petagna as they look to strengthen their strikeforce.

Gabriel Martinelli is likely to have recovered from injury to help Aubameyang and Lacazette bag the goals next term but the report adds that Arteta wants Petagna to provide ‘extra reinforcement’ up front.

Napoli have ‘always been clear’ that they want to keep Petagna, who they signed from SPAL in January but allowed him to stay on loan until the end of the season.

Arsenal regard the player as a ‘perfect’ fit for the Premier League but they had a recent enquiry for Petagna ‘immediately rejected’ by Napoli.

The forward managed 12 goals and one assist for SPAL last season but could not prevent them finishing bottom of Serie A.