Arsenal already targeting signing number three with Mikel Merino set to be announced soon

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s second signing is soon expected to be announced in what has been a fairly quiet summer window for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta has had to bide his patience over recent months with Arsenal being involved in lengthy negotiations to get their deals over the line.

Riccardo Calafiori marks the only official signing in north London this summer but the Gunners are close to confirming signing number two.

Mikel Merino has now passed his Arsenal medical with Real Sociedad growing impatient as they await the official announcement.

With just a matter of days left in the window, attention is now turning to their third potential addition of the summer.

• READ MORE: Arsenal are considering eleventh hour ‘hijack’ for £55m striker ahead of Friday’s deadline

Arsenal are now plotting signing number three

With a defender and – soon to be – a midfielder on board in north London, Arsenal are considering their options to sign a new forward.

There are some suggestions that the Gunners could make a move for a striker with Arsenal interested in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

And then there are some who believe Arteta is in desperate need of a new winger who can provide backup to Bukayo Saka.

• READ MORE: ‘Outstanding’ forward who both Arsenal and Tottenham want to sign could be late transfer ‘surprise’

According to The Sun, Arsenal are now looking to make a late surge in the market to bring in a new forward.

Having seen the likes of Emile Smith Rowe depart the club and with Eddie Nketiah now expected to leave Arsenal for Crystal Palace, there has been some significant money recouped.

The Gunners are now said to monitoring a number of financially viable options to potentially add Arteta with another option up top.

Any potential deal will not be sanctioned before Nketiah completed his proposed move to Selhurst Park.

A forward would complete Arsenal’s transfer window

Having finished just two points off winning the title last season, this summer was never going to be one of huge changes in north London.

But there is a clear need to bolster that front line with Gabriel Jesus already injured and highlighting the frailties in the attacking department.

Despite having scored more goals than any other side barring Manchester City, goals were not an issue for Arsenal last season but it could have been so much better.

And adding a reliable out and out striker to Arteta’s options could propel closer to the title.

At the very least, it feels like Arsenal require a backup right-winger to provide some cover for Bukayo Saka to be rotated.