Mikel Arteta has telephoned Arsenal target – Explains Gunners ‘project’ ahead of January window

France’s FootMercato report Mikel Arteta has been on the telephone to Adrien Rabiot.

The purpose of the call was to convey the ‘project’ at Arsenal, with the insinuation clearly being that Arteta was trying to tempt Rabiot into becoming a Gunner.

Moving to Juventus from PSG as a free agent in the summer, Rabiot has found it hard to become a regular in the Turin club’s packed midfield. An exit isn’t thought to be concretely needed or desired, yet if a good enough option comes up it makes sense for all parties to consider it.

Rabiot is considering his future, and has found it hard to understand Maurizio Sarri’s instructions at Juventus.

Raul Sanllehi and Arteta have both ‘validated’ the player as a transfer target suitable for Arsenal, and that’s what led the manager to picking up the telephone.

FootMercato make it clear Rabiot won’t be short of interest should he decide to leave in January, and Everton are also said to be keen.

Meanwhile, the player’s mother met Juventus at the weekend to talk about the situation. According to the claims, Juve made it clear they’d like to keep Rabiot, and would instead be looking at offloading Emre Can.