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Arsenal Transfer News: James Milner, Mario Mandžukić And More Targets

Milner, Mandžukić And More Arsenal Transfer Targets
Samuel Luckhurst
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Arsenal have won a trophy. It was not the Premier League nor the Champions League, but they have won a trophy, finished fourth and can now kick on and end another drought - their decade-long wait for a title.

The Gunners are currently experiencing their longest period without a championship since the 18 years between 1971 and Michael Thomas' charge through the middle at Anfield in '89. Arsène Wenger will sign a new three-year contract soon, following eight players inking new deals with the club over the last 18 months.

Now their manager's future is secure, Arsenal need to use the FA Cup win as a springboard. Unsurprisingly, they are linked with numerous players in the Monday papers.

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Milner has won the title twice with Manchester City

James Milner makes the Times' back page splash, although Liverpool are also interested in the Yorkshireman. Manchester City are prepared to offer the dogged midfielder a new four-year contract - Milner is one homegrown player worth keeping - however the 28-year-old apparently wants to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal are expected to make a £10 million offer this week for Milner, who joined City for £26m in 2010.

Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandžukić, miserable all season ahead of Robert Lewandowski's arrival in the summer, was left out of the squad for Saturday's German Cup final with Borussia Dortmund, which signalled the death knell for his two years in Bavaria.

"He was injured, but on the other hand he actually was able to play," Bayern boss Pep Guardiola said. "But I decided to take 18 players with me. And Mandžukić is not in the squad."

Wenger celebrates FA Cup win
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(01 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal celebrates victory with players after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(02 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal is showered with champagne by Lukas Podolski as they celebrate victory after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (R) holds the trophy as he stands next to his players after winning the English FA Cup final match against Hull City at Wembly Stadium in London on May 17, 2014. Aaron Ramsey scored an extra-time winner as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought by coming from two goals down to beat Hull City 3-2 in a gripping FA Cup final. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK == NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(04 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Captain Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal (2R) lifts the trophy in celebration alongside Lukas Podolski (L), Mikel Arteta (2L) and Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal (R) after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(05 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Captain Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal passes the trophy to Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal (R) after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(06 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal celebrate victory after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(07 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Wojciech Szczesny of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal celebrate victory after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(08 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal celebrate victory after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(09 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal and Steve Bruce, manager of Hull City react during the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(10 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal looks thoughtful during the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(11 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal (R) lifts the trophy in celebration alongside Lukas Podolski (L), Mikel Arteta (2L) and Thomas Vermaelen (2R) after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the English FA Cup final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembly Stadium in London on May 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-FACUP-ARSENAL-HULL(13 of16)
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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the English FA Cup final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembly Stadium in London on May 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(14 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal celebrates victory after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Hull City - FA Cup Final(15 of16)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal celebrates victory after the FA Cup with Budweiser Final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-FACUP-ARSENAL-HULL(16 of16)
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Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger celebrates winning the English FA Cup final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembly Stadium in London on May 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Arsenal need a striker, Bayern will sell...

An alternative option is Karim Benzema, providing Real Madrid sign a Galáctico in the close season, like Luis Suárez. Benzema was, along with Suárez and Gonzalo Higuaín, linked with Arsenal on what seemed like a daily basis last year until Wenger decided not to bother with a striker at all.

Talking of last year, Arsenal had a bid rejected by Bayer Leverkusen for Lars Bender but they could be back in for the Germany international. If Arsenal are to mount a credible Premier League title challenge, it isn't going to happen with Mikel Arteta as the holding midfielder and Bender would represent an upgrade.

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