Mikel Arteta identifies 'transfer priority' as two Arsenal stars could be axed after PSG Champions League final defeat

Arsenal have reportedly identified a key area they want to improve in the hours following their brutal Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

On Saturday (May 30), Mikel Arteta's side led for most of the match after Kai Havertz's composed finish five minutes in.

In the first 45 minutes, Luis Enrique's PSG side struggled to create opportunities, with Arsenal forming a wall of defenders in their own half while seeing little of the ball.

However, 19 minutes into the second half, Cristhian Mosquera was adjudged to have fouled Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the penalty area before a spot kick was awarded.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

The remainder of the second half and extra time offered very little in terms of clear-cut chances, despite the reigning champions creating the better opportunities.

Bradley Barcola, however, failed to finish from close range on two separate occasions.

Next came penalties, with Arsenal's Eberechi Eze the first player to miss before David Raya saved Nuno Mendes' spot kick to level the shootout.

Declan Rice smashed home Arsenal's third penalty before both sides scored their fourth spot kicks.

Then came the decisive moment, with Lucas Beraldo converting PSG's fifth penalty, meaning Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães had to score to keep his side alive.

The Brazilian defender could only watch as his spot kick flew high into the stands, sparking jubilant celebrations from PSG, who became only the second team, after Real Madrid, to retain the Champions League.

Several Arsenal players and fans were visibly upset, with PSG defender and Brazil teammate Marquinhos consoling Gabriel after his cruel miss.

Arsenal's summer transfer plans

Despite winning the Premier League, the Gunners will now likely look to the transfer market to bolster their squad before they go again next season.

Shortly after the final, The Athletic's David Ornstein claimed that the left side of Arsenal's attack will be Arteta's recruitment priority this summer.

This could mean reduced minutes for current left wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard or even a summer move.

He also explained that improving at right-back, signing another central midfielder and bringing in another striker to support Havertz, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus are priorities.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Ornstein outlined how Arsenal are in a strong financial position following a successful season.

"The finances are in fantastic shape, so I would say this is a season of success, progress and perhaps even greater history," Ornstein said. "They're on track to break records in terms of revenue."

He added: "The revenues are going through the roof at Arsenal. It's a period of milk and honey, which wasn't always the case. They were a team that struggled following the Emirates Stadium move.

"They posted profits, but that was because they were selling many of their best players. They weren't competing. They went 15 years or more making profits, but in the last seven years they have posted losses because the Kroenkes have backed Arteta in the market.

"They've invested very heavily and have even put their own money in, which everyone was asking for. They wanted success now, and it's been vindicated."