Arsenal’s season has a bit of a groundhog day feel to it as the Gunners have slipped away in the title race following a strong start, which is a situation Gooners in the Transfer Tavern are all too familiar with.
Back-to-back defeats against Everton and Manchester City last month saw Arsene Wenger’s side tumble down the standings and things took a turn for the worse against Bournemouth, until the Gunners bounced back from 3-0 down to rescue a point.
Our landlord and the fans in the bar all agree that the draw with the Cherries was still not an acceptable result though and they’re all fearful that Arsenal will show a lack of progression this season unless they spend – which could hurt their chances of keeping Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the long-term.
Fortunately, a number of targets have been touted in the press and our landlord has helped the Gooners scrawl down a potential XI for next month if the Gunners land their top targets- and it’s a side that would certainly take some beating.
GK: Jordan Pickford
One of the finest young goalkeeper’s in English football, Jordan Pickford has been eyed by Arsenal as the ideal long-term successor to an ageing Petr Cech; a player who has also seen his performance levels drop drastically this season.
Heavily linked with Pickford’s services last month, reports have cooled since an injury to the Sunderland stopper but there is still interest.
Although a move would likely see Pickford loaned back to the Black Cats for the remainder of the season, our landlord believes they’d be better off putting him straight into the first-team.
RB: Hector Bellerin
With the possible exits of Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy leaving Hector Bellerin all on his own as a natural right-back within the squad, it’s highly possible that a new signing will be made in this area to bolster the squad depth.
However, any new face would simply have to be content with keeping Bellerin on his toes as Arsenal will not drop the Spaniard any time soon. He’s one of the best young defenders in the division and has the ability to continue to grow, a frightening prospect for rival sides.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The experienced level-head within the defence, Frenchman Laurent Koscielny is considered by many to be one of the best defender’s in the Premier League. Naturally, Arsenal won’t be looking to strengthen this area in the mid-season.
The 31-year-old recently signed a new contract with the Gunners, which is ideal news for supporters, and has developed a strong partnership with his new partner in the middle of the defence.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
Signed from Valencia in the summer, Mustafi has been solid but not exceptional in the first-half of his debut season in English football. However, the German is yet to experience defeat across any competition with the Gunners- so he must be doing alright.
Turning 25 this year, Mustafi has years ahead of him and the experience earned by playing alongside Koscielny will be valuable. Whilst Rob Holding, Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker all present alternative options, it’s Mustafi’s spot to lose.
LB: Sead Kolasinac
Nacho Monreal’s decline this year and Kieran Gibbs’ lack of stability in the side has led Arsenal to eye Schalke starlet Sea Kolasinac- a Bosnian international who has attracted every interest from clubs across Europe.
The 23-year-old would be a fine addition to Arsenal’s back-line and a four-back formation including Kolasinac, Mustafi and Bellerin could shine at the Emirates Stadium for years to come. The difficulty though would be beating rival clubs to his services.
CM: Granit Xhaka
Another big-money summer signing, Granit Xhaka has taken a while to settle into the rhythm of the Premier League but is now looking to be at his best. Whilst he has the reputation as a hot-head, he was unfortunate to receive his one red-card this season.
Xhaka will need stability in the middle of the park to remain consistent and that’s proven to be difficult, with Arsenal having deployed Santi Cazorla, Mohamed Elneny, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey in midfield this season.
However, that problem could be sold.
CM: Grzegorz Krychowiak
Not quite settling in Paris since joining French giants PSG from Sevilla in the summer, Grzegorz Krychowiak is linked with a move to the Premier League and Arsenal are said to be in a straight shoot-out with Manchester City for his services.
The 26-year-old defensive midfielder would be the ideal partner to Xhaka in the midfield, providing protection to the back-line and allowing the more attacking players to stay in the opposing half of the field.
He’d be expensive but certainly worth it.
RM: Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal could choose splash £200m in the last remaining weeks of the transfer window but not even that would be more important that getting Alexis Sanchez penned down to new terms- as the Chilean has entered the final 18 months of his contract.
Scoring 14 Premier League goals this season, the joint-highest in the division, the 28-year-old has contributed a further seven assists and has also been reliable in the Champions League. He’s Arsenal’s hero and any spending this month could convince him to stay.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
The other priority for Arsenal has to be getting Mesut Ozil to also agree terms with the Gunners, as the German World Cup winner is another who has entered the final 18 months of his contract. For Arsenal to lose him now would be heartbreaking, as he’s just coming into the best form of his career.
Previously suspect in front of goal, Ozil has improved his goalscoring numbers this season and is another useful attacking outlet. His ability with passes remain second to none and losing Ozil would be a huge kick in the teeth.
LM: Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
The one missing link from Arsenal’s attack is a natural left-winger and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco could fit that gap. It would potentially mean playing Alexis Sanchez on the right, but Carrasco alongside the Chilean and Mesut Ozil would be a dynamic and inter-changing trio.
The 23-year-old has been in-and-out of Atletico Madrid’s team this season, facing competition from summer signing Nicholas Gaitan, and Arsenal would be the perfect fit for a player of his flair and ability.
ST: Andrea Belotti
Linked with a staggering club-record move to Arsenal in January, a figure the Gunners were never likely to match, Andrea Belotti is still a player who could improve the forward line at Arsene Wenger’s disposal and he should be considered.
In 18 Serie A appearances this season, Belotti boasts a phenomenal record of 14 goals and three assists.
He’d present a great alternative to Olivier Giroud and can develop into a superstar at the right club- and Arsenal can be that side.
