Though Jamie Vardy has snubbed a move to Arsenal, there is still undoubtedly palpable excitement surrounding the Gunners’ transfer activity this summer.
Whether or not this will be Arsene Wenger’s last season in charge at the Emirates remains to be seen, but the Frenchman has already secured the arrival of Granit Xhaka for big money.
With the Swiss midfielder impressing at Euro 2016, it appears as if the Gunners have finally land themselves a shin-splinter of some real quality to occupy to address a long running issue in the middle of the park.
Yes, missing out on Vardy is gutting right now.
Still, the ambition shown by Le Professeur in his attempts to land the title hero was a refreshing showing attempt and perhaps it serve as a sewing motif across his summer business.
With Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott both failing to wholly convince, surely the Frenchman will roll the dice on a big money move for another forward.
Considering all this, how exactly could the club line up at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season?
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GK: Petr Cech
Not much more we here at TT can say about Petr Cech, whose continued heroics in the Premier League have been gushed over for many a year now.
The Gunners felt the impact of having a stopper to be relied upon at long last in the season just gone and will surely be calling on his class once more.
RB: Hector Bellerin
The Spanish speedster has emerged as a key member of the first-team in the last 18 months and keeping him out of the clutches of Barcelona will surely be a priority in North London over the course of the summer.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The fact Arsene Wenger plucked Laurent Koscielny out of relative obscurity often goes unnoticed.
The Frenchman is surely the best centre-half in the Premier League and his development over the past few seasons is a testament to the 66-year old’s coaching prowess.
CB: Kostas Manolas
Though landing Kostas Manolas from Roma may prove to be a difficult task, considering the fact both Chelsea and Manchester United are thought to be interested, the Greek international would be a top class arrival.
While Per Mertesacker is a World Cup winning defender, little of what he has done in North London over his half a decade there has proved that.
Manolas is a formidable defender and his stout reading of the game will help partner the classy Frenchman.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Having ousted England international Kieran Gibbs from the starting lineup, Nacho Monreal has established himself as one of the most reliable full-backs in the Premier League.
CM: Granit Xhaka
While he hasn’t even kicked a ball in Arsenal colours just yet, Granit Xhaka’s performances with Switzerland at Euro 2016 has excited many of the Gunners’ faithful.
A tough-tackling midfielder with the ability to dictate play from deep in the engine room, Wenger has finally drafted someone in to impose himself in the middle of park.
CM: Santi Cazorla
Perhaps more of a Number 10 when he first arrived from Malaga, Old Father Time has turned Santi Cazorla into more a limited (position wise) central midfielder.
Still, his exquisite passing range will make him an ideal option to spray passes next to the more dynamic Xhaka, keeping possession ticking over for the Gunners.
RAM: Riyad Mahrez
Vardy may have snubbed them, though Wenger cannot be put off by the particular deal.
Last season’s PFA Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez has long been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Algerian would wreak havoc across a fluid frontline for the club should he move, giving the Gunners a palpable goal threat from wide areas.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
Arsenal’s creative hub, World Cup winning playmaker Mesut Ozil has put the early part of his Gunners career behind him and emerged as a bonafide Premier League superstar.
19 assists last year saw the 27-year old recapture the sort of form that made him such a big deal at Real Madrid and his settling into life in England is a major plus for the whole club.
LAM: Alexis Sanchez
It will be interesting to see what sort of impact a third consecutive summer tournament will have only Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean having looked tired at times last season.
Still, there’s little doubt the 26-year old is one of the most fearsome attackers in Europe on his day and playing in a team that creates as many chances at Arsenal will only do him favours.
CF: Alvaro Morata
Jamie Vardy may have been a more emotional signing, with his 24-goal haul having secured the Premier League title, though there are doubts over whether he would truly fit the philosophy in North London.
Basing his game off searing pace on the counter-attack, the obsession with possession at the Emirates may not have served the 29-year old well.
However, Alvaro Morata would suit it down to a tee.
A centre-forward in the old fashioned sense, the Spaniard would run the channels and create space for the vasty array of intricate technicians behind him, while providing a serious goal threat.
