Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta handed triple title race boost as £73m star's price slashed

A great week at the Emirates just got even better after Arsenal were handed a hat-trick of uplifting updates in the title race against Manchester City

Arsenal's chances of getting their hands on the Premier League crown just took several turns for the better. And it comes after what's already been a hugely positive week after Mikel Arteta's side reached the Champions League final.

A 1-0 home win over Atletico Madrid was enough to secure a spot in Europe's showpiece event for the first time since 2006. And things are progressing well on the domestic front, too, after the Gunners moved back into pole position for Premier League honours.

Not only have Manchester City slipped back behind at the top of the table but they've also been handed a string of road bumps this week. Mirror Football explores the latest headlines emerging from north London as Arteta & Co embark on what could be a historic few weeks.

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Arsenal handed triple title boost

Days after City dropped points in a 3-3 draw against Everton, Arsenal have received more promising news on the title front. That's after Pep Guardiola's remaining fixture list became a lot more complicated by recent developments on the continent.

An English team will feature in each of the three European finals after Aston Villa and Crystal Palace made it to the Europa League and Conference League finals. That has serious implications should Villa finish fifth in the Premier League but already qualify for the Champions League by winning the second-tier tournament.

That would mean a sixth-place finish in England's top flight would also be enough to secure Champions League football next term. And it just so happens two of City's next three league opponents, Brentford and Bournemouth, are currently sat seventh and sixth, respectively.

Both of those fixtures take place before the Europa League final on May 20. As a result, Brentford and Bournemouth will be fighting tooth and nail to ensure they're in the best possible position to put themselves in contention for a shock spot at Europe's top table.

The other Arsenal advantage concerns Palace, who travel to the Etihad next Wednesday before wrapping up their league campaign at home to the Gunners. Oliver Glasner's men have a Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano to think about on May 27 but are still not mathematically safe from relegation as things stand.

Each of Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and West Ham directly below the Eagles have started picking up points at a rate of knots. As a result, it's in the Eagles' best interest to not divert too many resources away from the league battle despite their European decider.

That's potentially bad news for City ahead of their showdown next week. Glasner & Co may well not be safe from the drop at that point, though that situation's likely to have changed by the time they host Arsenal on May 24, just three days before they meet Rayo Vallecano.

The south Londoners are much more likely to rest key players when Arsenal visit Selhurst Park as a result. However, City are much more likely to face a full-strength version of the same squad.

Froholdt fee slashed by £21m

Looking ahead to the summer, Arsenal have received news they may be up for a £21million discount on Porto's Victor Froholdt. The Denmark international has a £73m release clause in his contract, though it's understood he could be available for around two thirds of that sum.

The Times has reported Porto are aware they're unlikely to receive such a steep fee for the midfielder. It's understood Arsenal are one of numerous Premier League outfits keeping tabs on the player, with Newcastle also said to be among his admirers.

The 20-year-old only moved to Portugal from Copenhagen last summer but is already being tipped for another move. Froholdt has been omnipresent in a Porto side that's already wrapped up the Primeira Liga title, scoring eight goals and recording six assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.

Arsenal could be in need of a rounded figure fitting his dimensions in midfield given the injuries that have affected the team this term. Danish outlet Bold recently reported Liverpool are also showing an interest in the midfielder, who has 10 caps for his country.