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It's the calm before the storm at Arsenal right now as Unai Emery and his squad gear up for one final push in their attempts to qualify for the Champions League.

With many of the players currently away with their national teams, Emery has taken a squad mixed with senior stars and youngsters away for a warm weather training camp in Dubai.

Arsenal arrived on Thursday evening and held their first training session on Friday. They will remain in Dubai until Tuesday, when they take on Al Nasr Club in a friendly before flying home.

The players who have been on international duty will then also return to London Colney before the Premier League run-in begins with a home game against Newcastle on Monday, April 1.

With the current lull in action due to the international break, our Arsenal writer Charles Watts gave his thoughts on some of the big talking points at the Emirates right now during a Q&A with fans on Thursday where he was asked questions on topics ranging from summer transfer targets to the search for a new technical director.

Here is what he had to say on what is going on behind the scenes in north London.

On why Denis Suarez hasn't been playing

Charles Watts says: "He’s just not been good enough. Simple as that really.

"He clearly hasn’t done enough in training to convince Emery he should be starting and he hasn’t done enough on the pitch to suggest he deserves more minutes.

"It’s a signing that just hasn’t worked. I can’t see anyway that Suarez will still be here next season. I would much rather see Saka or Amaechi get some minutes between now and the end of the season."

On the summer transfer budget

Charles Watts says: "It’s tough to put a figure on the budget at this stage.

"Right now, Arsenal are looking at a figure of around £45/£50m, but that could rise if they qualify for the Champions League.

"Then there is also the possibility of generating more funds by selling players and I am expecting a few to go out the door.

"So it’s very difficult to really be able to talk about an exact figure when it comes to the summer budget."

On the chances of signing Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti

Charles Watts says: "Umtiti may well join another club [this summer], but I really can’t see it being Arsenal.

"As much as he would be the type of player Arsenal would be interested in, the cost of signing him just makes it all but impossible.

"If Barca do decide to sell to raise funds for de Ligt, clubs all across Europe would be in for Umtiti, clubs with far deeper pockets than Arsenal.

"I do expect Arsenal to sign a centre-back this summer, but I just can’t see it being Umtiti."

On who Arsenal's main summer targets are

Charles Watts says: "It’s almost impossible to answer that definitively I’m afraid.

"The three areas where Arsenal are prioritising are left-back, a wide attacker and a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.

"I think they will go back in for Christopher Nkunku at PSG and Ismaila Sarr at Rennes is certainly a winger they are looking at. Nicolas Pepe was first choice, but he is now well out of Arsenal’s price range and seems bound for Bayern Munich.

"In terms of left-back, I don’t know who they will sign. They like Tierney at Celtic but he will be too expensive."

On Xavier Amaechi's contract

Charles Watts says: "No concrete talks yet, they will not be easy when they start either.

"His current deal expires on June 30th 2020 and there is plenty of interest from overseas.

"Arsenal obviously want to keep and will do all they can, but Amaechi and other players his age and now seeing the type of success that Jadon Sancho is enjoying overseas and are wanting some of that action.

"Premier League clubs need to start giving these youngsters minutes or they will lose them."

On how transfers work at Arsenal at the moment

Charles Watts says: "In terms of transfers, Unai Emery and Raul Sanllehi are leading things.

"Plans are already in place for the summer. The club know who they want and Emery has played a big part in that, perhaps a bigger part than was originally anticipated when he arrived.

"Sanllehi will be leading the discussions between the clubs and Huss Fahmy is the man dealing with the agents.

"In terms of the scouting network, right now that is being headed by Francis Cagigao, who has been head of international recruitment of the past few years.

"He could end up replacing Mislintat permanently, depending on who eventually arrives as technical director."

On selling Mustafi

Charles Watts says: "I’m convinced Arsenal will do all they can to move Mustafi on this summer.

"From what I’ve heard, Emery is far from convinced by him and Arsenal believe they could still get a relatively decent fee for the defender.

"The big issue is trying to convince him to move. As is the way with most at Arsenal, he is on good wages and won’t be in any rush to leave."

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