The Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that a few major changes will be seen at the Emirates next season. Under Arsene Wenger this season, the Gunners simply haven’t been good enough – with a top-four finish already likely out of the question.
Next season, then, major improvement will be needed to stand any chance of competing with any of the bigger sides in the Premier League.
Man City and Man Utd, in particular, looks worlds apart from Arsenal, and given the rich history that the Gunners have in the English top flight, something clearly needs to change.
January provided a decent platform for Arsenal, with the signings of both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – but the real task lies ahead.
Their targets, at the moment at least, are yet to be confirmed. But Dean Jones of the Bleacher Report has predicted that Man Utd defender Luke Shaw could end up at the Emirates. He is, of course, looking set to leave the Red Devils this summer after falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho.
Luke Shaw to Barcelona is the transfer rumour of the day.
Where do we think he will actually end up? I say Spurs or Arsenal— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) March 27, 2018
Left-back isn’t exactly a spot that is in desperate need of improvement, but it’s fair to say that Shaw could certainly have an impact if he were to move there. But where exactly would he fit in?
Our landlord has been considering exactly that, and he thinks that this could be Arsenal’s potential 2018/19 defence if Dean Jones’ Shaw transfer prediction comes true…
LB – Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw has had an inconsistent spell at Man Utd, but his potential cannot be doubted.
The Englishman is still young enough to have a high skill ceiling, and Arsene Wenger is well versed at maximising the quality of young players.
Sead Kolasinac has made a great start to life in England, and it is unfair to drop him, but Arsenal can’t afford to let a player like Shaw escape their clutches if he is available.
CB – Shkodran Mustafi
After a tough start to life in England, Shkodran Mustafi has really turned his form around at Arsenal.
He’s been one of their most consistent defenders, albeit in a pretty inconsistent back-line, and so he deserves some praise.
The German seems to be getting better as he continues to settle in the Premier League, and that can only be a good thing for Arsenal.
CB – Rob Holding
You could argue that Laurent Koscielny should be in here, but long-term, Rob Holding is likely to be the future of the Arsenal defence.
Koscielny has really struggled this season, and it’s clear that his playing days at the highest level are coming to an end.
Holding, though inconsistent, is a talented player, and on his day he is more than capable of putting in a very strong performance.
Arsenal could bring someone new in, but until then, Holding deserves a role.
RB – Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin has underperformed this year, but the Spaniard is clearly still a fantastic footballer.
He’s played so much football this season, and when you aren’t playing well, not having time to dwell on your performances can have an impact.
Perhaps, after an extended break over the summer, the Spaniard could return to the performance level that everyone knows he is capable of.
