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David Ornstein reveals all on Marcus Thuram links as Arsenal target FIVE new signings
ARSENAL are set for a “heavy period of recruitment” but need to replace the departed Sven Mislintat first, according to BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein.
Marcus Thuram scores IMPRESSIVE goal for EA Guingamp
Ornstein claims Arsenal could be looking to improve in five different areas in the summer.
The Gunners are said to be keen on replacing Juventus-bound Aaron Ramsey with a similar type of midfielder.
After failed moves for the likes of Yannick Carrasco in January, a new winger remains on the agenda for head coach Unai Emery.
Ornstein says both right-back and left-back is another area that could be addressed, as well as a replacement for the retiring goalkeeper Petr Cech.
They’re definitely looking for a box-to-box midfielder to replace Aaron Ramsey, who’s going to Juventus
However, he has not heard any truth in the rumour linking Arsenal with Guingamp striker Marcus Thuram.
“I don’t know about Thuram,” Ornstein said on Premier League Today.
“They’ve got a bit of a problem on their hands in that they don’t have a technical director, who is meant to be overseeing a number of areas including recruitment.
“Their head of recruitment Sven Mislintat left in January, which was a bit of a shock to some, a disappointment to many.
“He had a fairly good record in his one year at the club in the transfer market.
“They need to address, and they are keen to address, a number of areas.
“I think they’re looking, well they’re definitely looking for a box-to-box midfielder to replace Aaron Ramsey, who’s going to Juventus.
“They’re still in the hunt for a winger, which is why today again links have come out with Yannick Carrasco.
“They may be looking for a full-back to cover Hector Bellerin with his injury, and of course Stephan Lichtsteiner was only signed on a one-year contract.
“They have been linked with left-backs as well. So there’s going to be a heavy period of recruitment ahead potentially at Arsenal.
“They’ve got an ageing squad in certain areas, [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan, [Mesut] Ozil, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang.
“They need to bring in a goalkeeper for Petr Cech, who’ll be retiring at the end of the season.
“But until they get that technical director in place, many of those rumours [won’t happen].”