On high alert in pursuit of the next generation of stars, Arsenal reportedly had scouts in place as a 17-year-old sensation smashed a Champions League record in midweek.
Gary Neville outlines key Arsenal title difference
Could this be Arsenal’s year at long last? Forever the bridesmaid and not the bride in recent years, Mikel Arteta looks likelier than ever to find himself walking down the aisle in May. The Gunners have been untouchable in recent weeks, having built on their impenetrable defensive record and set piece excellence to take the Premier League’s top spot.
With that top spot has, of course, come plenty of praise from the likes of Gary Neville. The former Manchester United right-back and Sky Sports pundit showered Arteta’s side with praise earlier this week, outlining the key difference between the Gunners and title challengers Liverpool.
“When I was watching Arsenal vs Atletico, I was watching [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, obviously Jurrien Timber played, you’ve got Ben White and [Riccardo] Calafiori, I thought all Arsenal’s full-backs are better than Liverpool’s, all four of them, that’s a big problem for Liverpool. Timber is the best full-back in the league at the moment.”
Playing host to Crystal Palace this weekend, the champions-elect have the perfect opportunity to prove Neville right and keep hold of their Premier League lead.
Given how they dispatched of Atletico Madrid in midweek, the expectation at The Emirates will be three points in comfortable fashion this Sunday even if Crystal Palace have proved to be giant-killers as of late.
It’s not just on the pitch that Arsenal are looking for success, either. Sporting director Andrea Berta is already looking to build on a solid first summer at the helm by welcoming further reinforcements in 2026. His scouts were reportedly in attendance as a teenage sensation smashed a Champions League record in midweek.
Arsenal battling to sign Lennart Karl
As reported by Caught Offside, Arsenal scouts were spotted watching Lennart Karl on Wednesday as he became Bayern Munich’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer at 17-years-old and 242 days. Scoring from range in sensational fashion, the teenager broke the record previously set by Jamal Musiala.
With Berta battling the likes of Chelsea to sign what looks to be a future star, Arsenal could make a huge statement by securing his signature in 2026. Whether Bayern will allow anyone to even get close to their talented star remains to be seen, however.
Karl’s moment in the headlines has been coming since the summer, when he broke into Vincent Kompany’s first-team for the first time. Since then, it has been one step after another for the 17-year-old, before he tiptoed into shooting range against Club Brugge.
The vision is clear for Arsenal, who could land one young winger to match their own rising star in Max Dowman. In one move, Berta may well secure the future of Arteta’s attack when the summer transfer window swings open.