Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern and throughout the globe will be anticipating wholesale changes to their squad this summer, after a disappointing season saw them concede the advantage in the Premier League title race and experience another early exit from the Champions League.
The season ends at a time when supporters are split on their views regarding long-serving manager Arsene Wenger and he’s under immense pressure ahead of the summer, with fans expecting some exciting signings and the squad to compete next year.
With Pep Guardiola coming into Manchester City, Antonio Conte hoping to revitalise Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp making his impression at Liverpool, Arsenal’s competitors are eying their own improvements- and we haven’t even mentioned the inspired Tottenham Hotspur, surprise champions Leicester City and the sleeping giant of Manchester United.
Fortunately for the fans, it seems Arsenal are identifying a wealth of top-targets to help them achieve their aspirations, so much so that you can actually create a full line-up of their targets- and if just a handful of these arrived, it would amount to an incredibly successful summer.
Hit the image below to see the transfer market XI Arsenal are vying for!
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GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Arsenal’s goalkeeping struggles have been well documented in recent years and, despite the arrival of Petr Cech last summer, the Gunners do need some improvements. David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny have both looked underwhelming during their careers in north London, so it’s not too surprising to see Arsenal looking at alternatives.
Earlier this year it was reported that Arsenal are fighting Real Madrid for the signature of Athletic Bilbao stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga, with the 21-year-old extremely highly-rated on the continent and shining for Real Betis on-loan this season.
Due to his young age, Arrizabalaga would be a sound investment for the future and playing understudy to Cech for a few years would be a sound investment.
RB: Rafinha
With Brazilian defender Rafinha facing an uncertain future with Bayern Munich, it has been reported that Arsenal have tabled a three-year offer to the experienced full-back. The wide options in defence are where the Gunners are lacking significantly, particularly on the right side.
As it stands, PFA Team of the Year man Hector Bellerin is the only natural right-sided defender Arsenal have in their ranks and the young Spaniard could do with some support. Rafinha could help Bellerin develop, as well as providing a suitable back-up should the youngster be absent for any reason.
CB: Kostas Manolas
Kostas Manolas is a name that has been linked to Arsenal ever since the Greek international’s days at Olympiacos and it seems the central defender is back on Arsene Wenger’s radar once again, with the Gunners fighting Chelsea for his signature.
Per Mertesacker doesn’t have too many years left in him, whilst Laurent Koscielny isn’t much younger, and last January’s acquisition, Gabriel Paulista, is yet to show that he can be called upon regularly. As such, a move for the 24-year-old would certainly make sense.
Capable of being a member of the Gunners back line for the next decade, he would certainly solidify Arsenal’s back-line.
CB: Mehdi Benatia
Sometimes things in football just play into your hands and that’s exactly the case with Mehdi Benatia, who could be set to leave Bayern Munich in the summer after the Bavarians concluded a deal for German international Mats Hummels.
Benatia’s agent has revealed his client will decide his future in the summer and Arsenal are keen to land his signature, although the 29-year-old Moroccan may be keen on a return to Italian football to rejoin former side Roma.
An experienced option for Arsenal, the Gunners would certainly have a stronger back-line with the African ace present.
LB: Ben Chilwell
Arsenal have become renowned for signing relatively unknown players with potential for the future and that’s exactly what Ben Chilwell is. The Leicester City left-back is relatively untested but Arsenal want his signature as part of an exciting triple-deal.
Chilwell would be unlikely to replace Nacho Monreal in the Arsenal first-team but the Spaniard is not getting any younger, whilst Kieran Gibbs’ form has been unreliable. If Chilwell was to come in and develop, Arsenal could have their defensive flanks sorted for the next decade.
CM: N’Golo Kante
One of the stars of the Premier League season, Arsenal are just one of many clubs keen to snatch N’Golo Kante from Leicester City. Whether the French international will leave the champions remains to be seen but the Gunners have wasted no time in throwing their hat into the ring.
A combative midfielder, who can play box-to-box, Kante could be the midfield addition Arsenal have been crying out for ever since the days of Gilberto Silva. With a midfield that already boasts the talent of Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey and Mohamed Elneny, amongst others, fitting this midfielder in may prove to be difficult.
CM: Granit Xhaka
The man most likely to be Arsenal’s first addition of the summer, as it’s reported the Gunners are closing in on a £33.1m deal to bring Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach to the Premier League- and he’d be the third most expensive signing in Arsenal history, behind Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
The 23-year-old can be considered as the long-term replacement for the ageing Santi Cazorla, who’s contract expires next summer, and, despite his age, Xhaka has a wealth of experience in European competitions and on the international stage.
As a significant investment, pressure would be upon the youngster’s shoulders but Arsenal have enough talent to ensure this midfielder doesn’t crumble.
LW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
With reports indicating that Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s discussions concerning a new deal with Borussia Dortmund have collapsed, Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly ready to take advantage in the breakdown in talks.
Arsenal have assured themselves of a Champions League finish this term, whilst Chelsea will miss out on European venture altogether, so the favoured destination for the Armenian international is north London- although Juventus are also keen.
With a solid record of contributing goals and assists this season, Mkhitaryan could be the final cog missing from Arsenal’s attack.
CAM: Isco
Spanish international Isco hasn’t quite achieved what he hoped he would with Real Madrid, as the midfielder consistently finds himself out of the pecking order- and he’s now surplus to requirements this summer.
With Arsenal having an agreement to discuss a deal with Los Blancos for Isco this summer, the ball is in Arsene Wenger’s court to secure a phenomenal signing and it’s the Spaniard’s versatility that makes him appealing.
Capable of playing across Arsenal’s midfield, in centre-attacking, on the wings or in a deeper position, Isco could erase the problems the Gunners have when one of their star-men is missing through injury. Plus, the thought of an attacking trio containing Isco, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez is a frightening one.
RW: Riyad Mahrez
One of the other stars of the Premier League season for champions Leicester City, Riyad Mahrez has attracted a wealth of attention from across European football and, unsurprisingly, Arsenal are also chasing his signature.
Whilst Arsenal may not be fancied in the market when compared to the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, the Gunners have a ready-made position in their squad available for the Algerian; alongside Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
However, of all the midfielders on this short-list, Mahrez is probably the most unlikely to move to the Emirates.
ST: Alvaro Morata
Arsenal have been fans of Alvaro Morata for some time and it seems the Gunners will finally make their move in the summer transfer window. With Real Madrid keen to activate a buy-back clause in the Spaniard’s deal with Juventus, before selling on for a profit, it’s another situation that could play into Arsenal’s hands.
Morata has a solid record in front of goal with Juventus and achieved success with Real Madrid previously, although he was never really considered the first-choice striker at the Santiago Bernabeu. At Arsenal, he’d undoubtably be the main-man and he could achieve new heights with the players supporting him.
The thought of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez providing opportunities for Morata to score is frightening for any side to consider and the striker is one signing that Arsenal desperately need this summer.
