Arteta makes Calvert-Lewin U-turn as Arsenal boss eyes summer arrivals

Arsenal are reportedly set to pass on making a summer swoop for Dominic Calvert-Lewin - despite claims that the Everton hitman had been earmarked to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners gave Aubameyang the boot earlier this year following Mikel Arteta's decision to ostracise the Gabon star from the team. The Londoners ex-skipper had been stripped of the armband - and dropped from the team - following a disciplinary issue and linked up with Barcelona in January.

However, Arsenal failed to source an adequate replacement in the January transfer window and are expected to resume their search in the summer. Calvert-Lewin was one of a host of names who were linked with a move to the Emirates in the final throes of the winter window - but it now appears as though the Gunners will not be rekindling their interest in the 25-year-old at the end of the season.

A new report from The Telegraph has outlined that Arsenal have 'cooled' their interest in the England ace, who has endured a torrid campaign. Calvert-Lewin plundered 21 goals in 39 games for the Toffees last year, but has been plagued by injuries this term. After starting the season in red-hot form - netting three times in as many games - the striker has failed to find the net since August and has blanked in his last nine league outings since returning from injury at the start of 2022.

And in the wake of his recent struggles, Arsenal and Arteta are poised to focus on other targets in a bid to revamp their attacking ranks. The Gunners are desperately light in attack and are set to be busy in the summer, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo emerging as potential signings.

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Gakpo has caught the eye for PSV in the Eredivisie this season, bagging 17 goals and 15 assists in just 38 games for the Dutch giants. And the £42million-rated attacker has opened the door for a summer switch to the Premier League - and admitted that he likes Arsenal "a lot".

The 22-year-old - who has also been linked with Liverpool - told The Sun : "The Premier League is a big league. Virgil van Dijk plays there with Liverpool so I like to watch them. We are not the same kind of league but I think we try to look at the Prem and learn about it. Everybody wants to play one time in the Prem. I don't favour one team but I like Arsenal a lot."

Gakpo also revealed that he used to idolise Gunners legend Thierry Henry when he was growing up. He added: "I looked up to Henry when I was younger because he was a tall guy who played on the wing."