Whilst the title is a long way off for Arsenal given the fact Jose Mourinho’s side hold two games in hand, a second placed finish and success in the FA Cup for a second year running should be enough to buy Arsene Wenger some more time.
The Gunners haven’t progressed much from last season however, with Wenger’s men heading into the Burnley game with an identical record to the one they had last season.
Supporters will demand a title challenge next term, and that will depend on the business Wenger carries out this summer.
Here we have identified an XI of transfer targets who could be lining up at the Emirates next season.
Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the Arsenal XI they could have next season.
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Petr Cech
The Gunners seem to be linked with a new goalkeeper every transfer window, but even Wenger – a man known for being tight with his money and keeping faith with what he already has – would find it hard to turn down Petr Cech for the right price.
The Chelsea goalkeeper has lost his first team place to Thiabut Courtois this season, and is set to move on in the summer. The Gunners have been the club most heavily linked, with Wojciech Szczesny currently out in the cold, and whilst David Ospina has done well – Cech is a different quality of goalkeeper.
Nathaniel Clyne
The Gunners spent big money on a young full back from Southampton last summer in the form of Calum Chambers, yet reports suggest they want to repeat the trick this time around.
Nathaniel Clyne has been one of the most impressive right backs in the Premier League this season, and has reportedly caught the attention of Arsenal, as well as major rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.
Could this be the start of one of the summer’s big transfer sagas?
Mats Hummels
The German has endured a wretched season with Borussia Dortmund, but that has not stopped a host of top European clubs registering an interest in him for the summer.
Arsenal are on the lookout for a long term replacement for Per Mertesacker, and Hummels fits the bill – having done a pretty decent job in replacing him for the German national side.
The likes of Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil may play their part in persuading the World Cup winner a switch to north London is in his best interests.
Winston Reid
The West Ham defender was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in the build up to the January transfer window, before eventually signing a new deal at Upton Park.
But as we have seen so many times in the past, a new contract means very little.
Arsenal are still light at the back, despite signing Gabriel Paulista in January.
Reid has plenty of Premier League experience, and would jump at the chance to move to the Emirates – even if it meant he wouldn’t be a first team regular.
Aaron Cresswell
The West Ham full back was thought to be on the Gunners radar during his time at Ipswich. The concern was his lack of Premier League experience, but the Liverpool-born left back has taken to the Premier League superbly this season.
There has been some talk about Nacho Monreal attracting interest from Spain, and should the Gunners defender decide he wishes to return to his homeland, Cresswell would make an excellent replacement.
The 25-year-old is thought of as a future England international, whilst his progression over the past couple of years suggests he would only get better at the Emirates.
Moussa Sissoko
In what has been another season to forget for Newcastle, French midfielder Moussa Sissoko looks set to be the only one to come out of it with any sort of credit.
The feeling is that he is ready to play for a better side, and his performances this season are proof of that. Newcastle haven’t done well in the past when it comes to keeping a hold of their best players (as our next entry proves) and should Arsenal come calling for the all-action midfielder, the Magpies will find it very difficult to keep him in the north east.
Yohan Cabaye
The France midfielder was the subject of an Arsenal bid in the summer of 2013, which at the time angered his former club Newcastle.
Cabaye would go on to move to Paris St Germain just a few months later, but his game time in the French capital this season has been limited.
Whilst Newcastle were demanding £20million for Cabaye back then, Arsenal will feel far more confident of landing the skillful midfielder for the £10million they originally offered this time around.
Morgan Schneiderlin
The Southampton man completes the hat-trick of French midfielders linked with a summer switch to the Emirates.
Schneiderlin has caught the attention of a number of clubs after his performances for the Saints over the past couple of seasons, with north London rivals Tottenham desperate to secure his services.
But with Arsenal looking nailed on for a Champions League finish, and Tottenham set to miss out, the Gunners have firmly established themselves as the favourites for his signature this summer.
James Milner
Turns out boring James Milner may not be as boring as we thought, given the number of clubs said to be chasing his signature this summer.
Manchester City’s Mr.Versatile is out of contract at the end of the season, and has reportedly caught the attention of both Arsenal and Liverpool.
Wenger is keen to add some more British experience to his squad, whilst Milner’s ability to play just about anywhere on the pitch – and for the magic price of free – makes him a very appealing signing.
Gonzalo Higuain
Higuain was a target for the Gunners in the summer of 2013, before Napoli stole in and signed him for £30million.
The Serie A side look set to miss out on the Champions League for a second season running however, with Rafael Benitez’s side currently occupying sixth place – eight points behind third spot.
The 27-year-old is a natural goalscorer, and someone who would relish the chance to play regularly in the Champions League as he had done previously with Real Madrid.
Should Arsenal come calling, this is a move Higuain would find difficult to turn down.
Raheem Sterling
Arsenal and Liverpool played out one of the most drawn out transfer saga’s of all time just a couple of years ago, when the Gunners tried to lure Luis Suarez from Anfield.
It could be a similar story this time around, with Arsenal keen on signing the Reds contract rebel Raheem Sterling.
Whilst Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Sterling will be staying at Anfield, the fact he has turned down a contract offer of £100,000 a week and described being linked with Arsenal as ‘quite flattering’, has got Gunners fans excited about the prospect of a major summer signing.
