Arsenal are ready to enter the race for Chelsea's attacking midfielder Juan Mata after their midfield injury crisis worsened last night, according to the
Sun. The 25-year-old'd father and agent Juan Mata Snr was in the Emirates directors' box to watch the Gunners cruise into the Champions League with a 5-0 aggregate win over Turkish outfit Fenerbahce on Tuesday. And Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said:
I like the player. I have heard that Mata could be on the market.
Along with having centre-back Thomas Vermaelen ruled out with an back injury, Arsenal are also without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta. And their midfield injury crisis deepened last night as Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey both picked up knocks while striker Lukas Podolski was carried off on a stretcher and could be out for five weeks. The growing number of stars staggering into the treatment room could lead to Wenger splashing the cash this summer before the transfer window slams shut next Monday. And the Frenchman has targeted Mata, who appears to be out of favour at Stamford Bridge having been left out for Chelsea's crunch Premier League game against Manchester United earlier this week. Atletico Madrid are keen to hand the former Valencia man a return to Spain by taking him on loan, and could provide competition to the Gunners, while Mata has also been linked
with a move to United. However, that now appears unlikely as it was rumoured he would be going to Old Trafford as part-exchange for Wayne Rooney, who now
appears to be staying with the Champions.