Arsenal fans look set to end the 2014-15 season with a sense of deja-vu.
Once again, the Gunners have comfortably achieved a top four finish (when do they ever not?), and victory over Aston Villa at Wembley on May 30th will see them crowned FA Cup champions for the second season running.
However, the campaign still looks set to end with a tinge of regret, given the way the Gunners second half of the season has compared to the first.
Wenger’s men have been the form team in the country since the turn of the year, and had it not been for a slow start they could well have ended the term as Premier League champions. Whereas once again their Champions League campaign ended with the disappointment of an exit in the last 16.
Wenger reckons he is just a couple of players short of turning Arsenal into major challengers in both competitions. Here we have identified five stars that could take the Gunners to that next level, and see them crowned Champions League winners next season.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal 5 players to turn Arsenal into Champions League winners
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Raheem Sterling
Only 12 months ago, Liverpool’s contract rebel was being described as the best young player in Europe.
Whilst his season has faded miserably at Anfield, Sterling still has all the potential to become one of the world’s best.
Still only 20, and clearly desperate to leave Liverpool for London, Arsenal would be missing a golden opportunity if they weren’t to submit an offer for him this summer.
Sami Khedira
Francis Coquelin has been superb during the second half of the season in that defensive midfield role, but it is clear the Gunners could do with some more experience in that position – especially in big matches.
That fateful 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in the Champions League was a prime example of Arsenal being unable to manage themselves in big games, and Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira is an expert in that department.
The World Cup winner boasts plenty of experience, and is looking for a new club this summer. Again, Arsenal would be missing a trick should they fail to make an approach.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Alternatively, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin has proved himself to be one of the best defensive midfielders in English football over the past two seasons.
North Lonon rivals Tottenham were desperate to secure his signature last summer, but the fact the Gunners are capable of offering Champions League football next term make them firm favourites to complete the deal.
Schneiderlin has played a key part in the Saints superb season, and would compliment attacking midfield talents the likes of Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey perfectly at the Emirates.
Marco Reus
The German found himself at the centre of a transfer saga last summer, and despite only recently signing a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, this transfer window looks set to be similar.
Arsenal are amongst those clubs keen on bringing the attacker to the Premier League, and with Dortmund set to lose their manager and Champions League football this summer, it would not come as a surprise if their prized asset attempted to force through a transfer at last.
The prospect of a front three that included Reus, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud is a mouth-watering one for Gunners supporters.
Karim Benzema
Whilst Olivier Giroud has enjoyed a fine season, there are still some Arsenal fans who remain unconvinced he is the man to lead the line week in, week out, for the long term.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is ahead of Giroud in the pecking order for the French national team, and Arsenal are said to be interested in bringing him to north London.
The former Lyon man finds himself linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in almost every transfer window, and some reports suggest the 10 time European champions are ready to sell this summer in the hope of funding a move for Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
