The Gunners with their transfer war chest have been linked with a host of top players all summer, and adding to the list is their cross-town rival Chelsea’s Juan Mata.

Arsenal were close to landing him in 2011 from Valencia, however they were pipped to his signature by the financial brawn of Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea. His move to England was one of the best £24 million ever spent by the Blues as he made an immediate impact and announced his arrival in some style. He bagged both the Player of the year awards in both years back-to-back. He was one of their stars last season too and was the focal point in Chelsea’s attack creation, alongside Eden Hazard.

The Spanish international is on an extended leave granted by Chelsea following his participation in the Confederations Cup, where his country went all the way to the final but lost out eventually to Brazil. He is expected to rejoin his club-mates sometime in the next fortnight. He has now been sucked into the transfer speculation amid reports from Daily Mail revealing that Arsenal are eyeing the 25-year old. They want to sign a creative and attack-minded play maker who can play alongside the likes of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere in Arsenal’s midfield.

This is not the first time, though, that he has been involved in such transfer speculation as it was being reported that Chelsea are apparently including Mata in a package along with cash in order to lure their prime summer target – Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney – something which has straight away been downplayed by manager Jose Mourinho.

Do you see serious intentions from the Gunners regarding this potential deal? Will Arsenal press ahead with an official bid, and would Mata even in his wildest dreams consider making a shocking cross-town switch from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium? I think we have to put this one firmly in the highly unlikely category.