Arsenal is not far away from the Premier League title – and they can change a few large movements in champions.
The Gunners are by no means from the title hunt this period, but Liverpool has a comfortable gap at the top. They lead with six points after they played a game less and Mikel Arteta is confronted with the prospect of a third consecutive second place.
Arsenal has built up impressively in recent years, from top four hopeful to real contenders for the title and they have held signing sessions that have underlined their ambition. Adding Declan Rice for a club record compensation was a huge declaration of intent 18 months ago.
Signing Jurrien Timber, heavily wanted by Manchester United, was another coup. Adding the euro -winning experience of Mikel Merino added more depth to the team and gave them another dynamic – but the team is not yet the complete image.
Mirror Football takes a look at what Arteta could do in the summer to create a team that would definitely place them one of the favorites to land Premier League and possibly the Champions League.
A striker is clearly at the top of the priority list at Arsenal. Their manager announced that he was “disappointed” not to see one coming in January. A productive no. 9 is the striking gap in the team's team, where Kai Havertz is left to lead the line as a false nine.
Gabriel Jesus was signed a few years ago, but, as mentioned at the time, he has never been a player who can regularly hit the 20 objective in a season. So who they strive for? Well, the most obvious target seems to be Alexander Isak.
The Newcastle United Man is compared to Thierry Henry and has enjoyed his best year so far. Isak will break the 20 target barrier while he continues to lead the line impressively in St James' park. His future can rest on whether Newcastle is eligible for the Champions League.
If they don't, the door can open. The Magpies continued to follow the line financially with PSR that plays a factor. Newcastle does not want to cash in Isak and it is thought that they would like at least £ 150 million before they even considered to sell – it can cost more. Arsenal may have to decide how much they are willing to splash on an attacker who will guarantee them goals and take them to the next level.
In the defensive third arsenal there is good set and Arteta will probably leave that behind. He added more depth last summer and added Riccardo Calafiori, while Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged as the left back of the team. William Saliba is one of the best center halls in Europe and Gabriel compliments well.
In the middle of the field, Rice is an impressive presence with Martin Odegaard the playmaker, captain and Talisman of the team. It leaves one place behind with Thomas Partey who was previously connected to a move, just like Jorginho.
It has been reported that a deal is close by for Martin Zubimendi. He was an important target for Liverpool in the past, but Arteta is known as admirer. After he stayed in Spain, the real Sociedad -midfielder could now move and he was excellent for his country in the euros last summer.
Arsenal stands for the queue to land Zubimendi, which has a release clause of £ 51 million in San Sebastian. His ability to control the pace of games and to be progressive with his death will add more quality to the midfield of Gunners if he indeed moves to the capital.
Arsenal's possible XI: Raya; Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Gabriel, Wood; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Isak, Martinelli