A highly sought-after defensive midfielder is reportedly available for Arsenal to battle Tottenham for.Supposedly, Arsenal and Tottenham are in a bidding war to acquire a midfielder before next summer, when both clubs will be looking to redeem themselves after poor starts to the current campaign. As things stand, the Gunners are nine points lagging behind Liverpool, who are leading the title race.

Spurs, meanwhile, are only three points out of fourth place, but they haven’t been consistent enough to inspire confidence in second-year coach Ange Postecoglou. What effect those slow beginnings have on Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s seasons is anyone’s guess, but next summer, both teams will be looking to improve.

Arsenal are said to be ready to challenge Tottenham for an in-demand defensive midfielder.

Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be battling it out to sign a midfielder ahead of next summer as both teams look to improve on disappointing starts tot he season. The Gunners are way off the title pace, nine points behind leaders Liverpool as things stand.

As for Spurs, they are just three points off the top four, but they are struggling to maintain any kind of consistency, and it feels as though pressure is already building on Ange Postecoglou in his second season in charge. Time will tell what impact those starts of the season will have on Arsenal and Tottenham’s seasons, but both clubs will be targeting better starts come next summer.

Tottenham may be more serious candidates, even if the price tag may cast some doubt on the transfer. Liverpool are another club who could make a move given their need for a holding midfielder, failing to land Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad over the summer. Larsson is under contract until 2029 as things stand having penned a new deal in the last few weeks.

Larsson has scored three times this season, and speaking about those goals to the official Frankfurt website, he said: “I think a lot of things are generally easier in the second year. My team-mates have become friends, which is being reflected on the pitch. Obviously I work a lot, maybe I also just have luck at the moment, who knows (laughs).