Arsenal 'join race for in-demand Championship teenager'

Arsenal are reportedly the latest club to express interest in signing a highly-rated Championship teenager.

The 2023-24 campaign was decisive for the 18-year-old Leeds United man Archie Graywho excelled as both a right back and central midfielder for Daniel Farkeon the side.

Gray featured on 52 occasions for the White team in all tournaments, recording one goal and two assists as Farke's men reached the playoff final, where they lost 1-0 to Southampton.

Despite Leeds' failure to return to the Premier League at first asking, Gray's rise to stardom was one of their success stories, and the 2006-born teenager won his first two appearances for the under-5s. 21 years old from England earlier this year.

As interest in Gray's services grew, Leeds tied their academy product to a new long-term deal until 2028 in January, but they could be fighting a losing battle to keep him this summer.

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Arsenal 'show interest in Gray'

Premier League giants Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea And Manchester City All are rumored to be interested in Gray, in addition to other top English teams in Crystal Palace And Everton.

La Liga champions real Madrid and the German giants Bayern Munich reportedly also kept an eye on Gray's performance, and according to Fabrizio RomanoArsenal are now also in the mix.

“Finally, along with Arsenal, they have been one of many clubs linked with Archie Gray at Leeds United. There is interest in Gray in Germany and England, that's for sure,” Romano wrote in his column for Caught Offside.

“Leeds were hoping to keep Gray and Crysencio Summerville, but that might be difficult now after missing out on promotion to the Premier League, so yes, I expect movement on those two players and we will see how Leeds respond.”

Will Gray be tested in a new role at Arsenal?

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While it's certainly a big maybe that Gray dons the Arsenal kit for 2024-25, the 18-year-old joining the Gunners could open the door for him to further increase his versatility in the left-back slot.

This defensive role has been a problem for Arsenal throughout the season, as Jakub Kiwior And Alexander Zinchenko lacked consistency, while Takehiro Tomiyasu And Jurrien Bois have caught the injury bug.

Tomiyasu finished the campaign strong at left-back, but his preferred position is certainly on the right, so Timber should start the 2024-25 season as Arteta's first choice on the left after recovering from his injury to the ACL.

Amid claims that Arsenal are yet to begin negotiations to extend his deal, Zinchenko is said to be on Bayern Munich's radar, while Kiwior is currently the only other centre-back in the Gunners' ranks alongside William Saliba And Gabriel Magalhaes.

As a result, Gray could very well find himself playing second fiddle to Timber at left-back for the Emirates, although a move to north London would certainly come at a cost in terms of playing time.

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