Arsenal Can Hammer Double Whammy Against Broke Atletico

Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann (L) and Atletico Madrid's Belgian midfielder Yannick Ferreira Carrasco celebrate after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) quarter final first leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs SD Eibar at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on January 19, 2017. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann (L) and Atletico Madrid's Belgian midfielder Yannick Ferreira Carrasco celebrate after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) quarter final first leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs SD Eibar at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on January 19, 2017. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal are closest to signing Yannick Carrasco and have been linked with Antoine Griezmann, meaning they could land a double whammy against broke Atletico Madrid.

The loss against Chelsea all but ends Arsenal title aspirations this year. 12 points off the relentless pace set by Antonio Conte’s side is a huge gap to overcome with trips to Anfield and White Hart Lane still upcoming and both Manchester clubs yet to come to the Emirates.

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As such, while there is still a huge Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, one that will likely end disappointingly given the formidable squad the German champions boast and the pressure that recent history piles on the Gunners, the focus of the media and the fanbase begins to shift towards self-assessment and the summer transfer window ahead.

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For Arsene Wenger and his team, there is still much to be hopeful about. They are a young team, bursting with talent in the likes of Alex Iwobi, Hector Bellerin and Shkodran Mustafi. There is money available to be used to add players if needed – it will be – and there is the makings of a deep and varied squad already. In fact, numbers is the issue this summer, quality is.

Arsenal are in need of two or three top quality acquisitions that can be brought into not just bolster the squad but improve the starting XI. A destructive anchorman in midfield is needed as is at least one attack-minded player. Thankfully, Atletico Madrid currently boast two, both of whom could well be available this summer.

Rumours have abounded regarding the future of French star Antoine Griezmann. The attacking midfielder was sensational in the European Championships as is at the top of many club’s transfer wishes this summer, including Manchester United. Moreover, his teammate, Yannick Carrasco, after falling out of favour with manager Diego Simeone, is being linked with a possible departure at the end of the season, with Arsenal reportedly winning the race to secure his signature.

Both would immediately improve the attacking options available to Wenger and may not be as expensive as initial fears suggest. Atletico Madrid are experience crippling financial trouble – as many Spanish clubs are – and could be forced to sell their best assets in the summer.

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Arsenal could land a double whammy on Atletico and acquire both Griezmann and Carrasco in deals that would not break the bank (this is never ever going to happen, but a man can dream, right?) Now that would be blockbuster!