Arsenal keeping tabs on Ligue 1 striker

Arsenal travel to Italy to face Serie A side Atalanta in the Champions League group phase on Thursday. 

The Gunners face their Italian opponents in the first round of games in the competition’s new format, which sees each side face eight other sides.

All 36 teams in the new-look Champions League are in one huge league table, with the top eight teams automatically going through to the knockout phase.

Mikel Arteta will be confident about his side’s chances of reaching the next round, although the Gunners will face tricky matches against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan – champions of France and Italy respectively.

In the meantime, it has emerged that the North London outfit are monitoring a Ligue 1 striker.

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Lille forward Jonathan David, who is currently in the final year of his contract.

David faces an uncertain future at French side Lille

The Canada international has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past, with London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea said to have shown interest previously.

Now, though, the report claims that the Gunners remain interested in the striker as he nears the expiry of his current deal.

Arsenal are on the hunt for a new forward and, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko remains their top target, those in charge of the club are aware that the Slovenia international will attract interest from several clubs and they are therefore considering alternative options.

Despite this, David is also said to be a target for several clubs across Europe, including Italian outfits Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

If the Old Lady are successful in signing David, it could prompt a move away from Turin for former Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic – although it is unclear whether or not the Gunners remain interested in the Serbian.

David, 24, joined Lille from Belgian side Gent four years ago and has since netted 87 times in 191 games for the Ligue 1 side.

Despite having just a matter of months remaining on his current contract, there has so far been very little evidence that he will sign an extension with Lille.