Mikel Arteta tells Vinai Venkatesham 'benchmark' to replace Aubameyang

Arsenal continue to be linked with Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, with plans already being put into place for next summer.

The Gunners were the top spending Premier League team in the most recent window, bringing six players in at a cost of almost £150million.

And while there have been mixed results on the pitch, Emirates bosses are committed to a continued overhaul of the squad to give Mikel Arteta a more youthful bunch of players to rely upon.

"The changes we made this summer was probably the most significant summer we've had since I've been here", the Arsenal boss told Sky Sports.

Edu and Mikel Arteta are already putting plans in place for next summer ( Image:

Offside via Getty Images)

"Now you start to get a sense that we're all on the same page. With any project, you need the right foundations and now we have clarity in what we want to do."

While a defensive midfielder and another central defender will be the priorities in January, a striker is likely to be on the agenda by the time the season ends.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah looked destined to leave the club, with the pair both set to become free agents at the conclusion of the campaign.

There is also continued speculation regarding the future of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, having been linked with a move away during the summer.

Despite signing a bumper new contract just last year, the 32-year-old has shown signs of slowing down, with his last season the most disappointing of his career, scoring just 15 times.

There were some glimpses of his goalscoring prowess in the recent north London derby, but he could only follow that up with another disappointing showing against Brighton.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has two Premier League goals so far this season

En-Nesyri is a player many believe could fill Aubameyang's boots and lead the line for Arsenal, with ABC Sevilla via Sport Witness claiming they are one of six clubs to have made a bid.

At this point, the Moroccan is happy with the LaLiga club, where he still has four years remaining on his current deal.

The report adds that the forward has told close friends that he has an 'exciting and ideal season ahead of him' with Sevilla and is reluctant to move on.

Arteta is reportedly a huge fan of Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

However, Arsenal are said to be keen, with Arteta reportedly telling chief executive Vinai Venkatesham that he could be the 'benchmark of the Gunners attack'.

According to the Spanish press, Venkatesham was happy to sanction a move for the 24-year-old, who only joined Sevilla in 2020, with the player rejecting an approach.

But with question marks remaining over Aubameyang's future in the capital, another move for a man deemed 'ideal' to replace him, could yet be on the cards.