MY ACCOUNT
Arsenal did not secure any significant signings in January, so Mikel Arteta will need to make a splash in the transfer market this summer.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Calum Chambers were among those to depart the Emirates Stadium during the mid-season window.
But with no replacements brought in, the Gunners have a great deal of work to do when the current campaign draws to a close.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash at Wolves tonight, we take a look at where the North London side should strengthen their squad.
A clinical centre-forward
Nowhere is Arsenal’s need more pressing than at centre forward — and not just because of Aubameyang’s departure.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both only have six months remaining on their contracts, while 20-year-old Folarin Balogun — on loan at Middlesbrough — is not yet ready to lead the line for a club with top-four aspirations.
Gabriel Martinelli could play through the middle but it is clear that a top-quality addition would immediately elevate Arsenal.
Reported January target Dusan Vlahovic ultimately joined Juventus but a deal for Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak could be revisited in the summer, when the Spanish side may be willing to lower their £70million-plus demands.
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also been mentioned as an option, with the Toffees potentially keen to discuss a sale when the threat of relegation is less immediate.
Midfield reinforcements
Arsenal would also benefit from strengthening in the middle of the park with squad player Mohamed Elneny out of contract at the end of the season.
Additionally, Maitland-Niles is likely to leave permanently after joining Roma on loan and the Serie A side are reportedly still interested in signing Granit Xhaka.
If both were to be sold, the Gunners’ only senior central midfield options would be Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Wolves’ Ruben Neves and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz are among the players believed to be under consideration at Arsenal.
But should an additional body be necessary, the Gunners may be tempted to move for Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara, whose contract expires this summer.
Balancing youth with experience
Arteta and his recruitment team displayed a clear transfer strategy last summer when they targeted young players with experience beyond their years.
But the Arsenal manager has hinted that it may be necessary to offset that youthful exuberance with some more established names.
He said: “We have the youngest squad in the league and that is not a coincidence. We planned to do something like that because we had to rebuild something as well that we believe in.
“We have a squad full of enthusiasm and passion, but with the right amount of quality and experience as well, which I think is very much needed.
“We have lost points that sometimes show the lack of maturity we have in the squad, but at the same time we won a lot of games because of the enthusiasm, the passion and the energy they bring to the team.”
An upgrade on Cedric
Summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has been a revelation at right-back but a quality back-up is necessary for occasions when the Japan international is unavailable.
Cedric Soares has struggled to force his way into Arteta’s plans and with Maitland-Niles and Chambers gone, the Gunners could use a fresh face to provide cover and competition.
However, any deal is likely to hinge on the Portuguese finding a new club first.
A replacement for Pepe?
Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Lille in 2019.
The Ivory Coast international has only made three brief substitute appearances in the Premier League since his start in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in October.
With just over two years remaining on his contract, Arsenal may consider selling the winger to recoup some of their £72m outlay.
Getting Pepe off the wage bill would leave room for the Gunners to acquire a new marquee wide forward — which would significantly boost their attacking threat.
