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Arsenal officially miss out on signing Arteta’s midfield target

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
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Arsenal have officially missed out on signing Ilkay Gundogan after Barcelona confirmed the signing of the Manchester City ace.

Ilkay Gundogan will not be joining Arsenal this summer having instead chosen to complete a move to Barcelona.

The Catalan giants have confirmed the arrival of Gundogan this morning, penning a two-year deal with the option of a third year.

Gundogan has come to the end of his Manchester City contract and has now decided to move on to Barcelona.

The 32-year-old enjoyed a stunning end to the season as he played a key role in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign.

Two goals against Manchester City in the FA Cup final were a particular high point as Gundogan once again showed his brilliance for the big moments.

City have been trying to keep hold of Gundogan but their efforts have been in vain with the midfielder choosing Barcelona.

City paid £20million to sign Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, making him the first signing under Pep Guardiola.

Seven years and 304 appearances later, Gundogan is moving on – but City will just be glad that he didn’t join Arsenal.

Manchester City v Manchester United: Emirates FA Cup Final
Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images

Arsenal miss out on Ilkay Gundogan

Mikel Arteta was keen to reunite with Gundogan at Arsenal having worked together with City.

The Gunners pounced to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from City last summer and Arteta was eyeing a similar move for Gundogan.

Fabrizio Romano reported in June that Arsenal were an option for Gundogan as he weighed up a move away from City.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker even suggested that the Gunners were in a good position to land Gundogan.

It wasn’t to be though as Gundogan has chosen to leave the Premier League entirely and try something new in La Liga.

That means Arsenal must hope to land another midfield target like Declan Rice, who may become a top target for City with Gundogan now gone.