You’d forgive Arsenal fans for approaching the prospect of the transfer market with a rather glass-half-empty outlook, considering the fact they did not bring a single senior outfield player last year.
As another disappointing campaign for the Gunners draws to a close, serious questions are being asked of the current regime.
There is indeed somewhat of an expectancy that Arsene Wenger will conduct a major squad overhaul this summer in an effort to land an elusive fourth Premier League title at long last.
A move for Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has been mooted for some time now, while recent reports suggesting they could swoop for Barcelona star Arda Turan have surfaced.
While those two individuals would no doubt improve what Wenger has on offer, the pair alone surely aren’t enough.
Their issues are well documented, having failed to score goals (or keep them out) consistently enough for some time now.
Who exactly do they need? Well, have a look who we here in the Transfer Tavern think.
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE DREAM ARSENAL XI NEXT SEASON INCLUDING ARDA TURAN AND XHAKA!
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Petr Cech
Though Petr Cech has dropped a few clangers this season, there’s no doubt his capture from Chelsea was a masterful bit of business.
Simply put, there really aren’t many better stoppers around right now.
Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin has made the right-back berth his own at the club, emerging as one of the most exciting defenders on the continent.
His defensive diligence will only improve over time, while his searing pace is a wonderful outlet for the Gunners’ pass masters to exploit.
Laurent Koscielny
Imagine where Arsenal would be if Laurent Koscielny had left the club for Real Madrid this summer.
The Frenchman is a top class defender and the individual on which Wenger should built a brand new defence.
A shame really that he’s been paired with the inept Per Mertesacker for so long.
Virgil Van Dijk
Amazing really that no bigger club has moved for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk sooner.
Saints swooped for the Dutchman this summer and he has taken to the Premier League like a duck water. The former Celtic ace is an immense defender and would fit in well with the ball playing philosophy so prevalent at the Emirates Stadium.
He would also give the defence a physical edge, something that they have lacked for years now.
Nacho Monreal
Despite initially failing to convince as an Arsenal player upon joining from Malaga, Nacho Monreal has impressed over the past few year or so after ousting Kieran Gibbs in the berth.
The Spaniard provides a solid balance to compatriot Bellerin on the opposite flank.
Granit Xhaka
Not quite the midfield destroyer many would have hoped for, though there’s little doubt potential recruit Granit Xhaka would help improve the engine room.
The Swiss international is an all-rounder, able to break opposition attacks down before starting his own from deep.
He’s a combative presence in the middle of the park and will crucially provide an element of balance when the side need to hold onto a lead with his exceptional array of passing.
N’Golo Kante
While Xhaka will provide a calming influence should he arrive, a move for Leicester City sensation N’Golo Kante is almost as crucial.
The Frenchman’s energy knows almost no bounds, having excelled amid the Foxes’ title triumph this term.
He’d bring a bit of fight to the ranks, battling for possession all over the park, before handing it over to the more gifted technical players further forward.
Arda Turan
Being unable to breach the first at the Camp Nou is no shame for a player these days, considering the sheer talent of their glorious attacking trident.
Arda Turan excelled with Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone, though things have not quite gone to plan for the Turkish playmaker with the Blaugrana since.
Still, he remains one of the most fearsome attackers in Europe when in full form, able to create goals just as easily as he scores them.
Floating across the frontline, the Gunners would soon boast one of the most fluid attacks in Europe.
Mesut Ozil
Notions that Mesut Ozil cannot hack life in the Premier League have largely been dispelled this season, with the German World Cup winner turning in some sensational performances this term.
The playmaker is one of the best in the world at what he does when on form, which crucially, has been more often than not this year.
Vital to their chances of winning next year’s Premier League.
Alexis Sanchez
Though Alexis Sanchez has struggled to replicate last season’s form as often this campaign, the Chilean attacker is still one of the most potent wide forwards in European football.
Able to stretch defences and open up space for others, the former Barcelona star can wreak havoc of his own in the final third and help craft one of the most scintillating attacks in the country.
Karim Benzema
There really is no better forward suited to spearhead the Arsenal attack than Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
He’s demonstrated the ability to drop deep and link play as almost a ‘false Number 10’, though is without doubt one of the most lethal marksmen in the game when faced with a clear sight of goal.
He would be an upgrade on countryman Olivier Giroud in every way imaginable and could make the Gunners serious players both at home and abroad.
