Arsenal news: Gunners make contact in race to sign wonderkid amid £52m bidding war

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Arsenal's Premier League title ambitions suffered a major setback after a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa . A last-gasp winner from Emi Buendia secured all three points for Unai Emery's side, who have closed the gap on the Gunners to just three points.

Matty Cash put Villa ahead in the first half before Leandro Trossard levelled shortly after the break. But Arsenal's hopes of salvaging a result evaporated late on, as Buendia curled home following a chaotic scramble in the penalty area.

Mikel Arteta's men, who have dropped points in three of their last five league matches, must now regroup as the hectic festive period approaches. Here, Mirror Football rounds up the latest Arsenal-related headlines.

Arsenal are reportedly in talks to sign 18-year-old French prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Lille midfielder has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in European football and the Gunners are keen to beat their rivals to his signature.

Chelsea and PSG are keeping close tabs on Bouaddi's situation, but Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase. According to RMC Sport , the North London club are "making a strong push" to sign the teenager with sporting director Andrea Berta, already in contact the midfielder's representatives.

Although Bouaddi extended his contract with Lille on Saturday, the Ligue 1 club are understood to be open to a sale for around £52million. They would, however, prefer to finalise any transfer next summer rather than in January.

Arsenal's growing interest could trigger a bidding war. Alongside Chelsea and PSG, Manchester United , Liverpool and Manchester City are also admirers of the France U21 international - meaning the Gunners' proactive approach may force others to accelerate their plans.

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Bouaddi is a technically refined and tenacious midfielder, drawing comparisons to United's Kobbie Mainoo and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga - the kind of high-ceiling profile coveted across Europe.

Should Arsenal decide to truly test Lille's resolve, they may not be alone for long, with several elite clubs watching closely as the situation develops.

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