It has become evident that despite the almighty effort Arsenal have put in this season to try and stave off Manchester City that the ultimate quality and depth of their rivals has come through. This is neither a surprise nor a huge criticism on Arsenal’s part.
Arsenal are still building and the title push represents a major step forward, achieving more than anyone thought possible this season, and it’s not over yet. But this summer represents the last of that squad-building phase before things can switch to how Man City have managed their team’s development over the past decade.
Wednesday’s defeat against Man City highlighted the gap between the two sides but it exposed areas in Arsenal’s squad that must be addressed should they want to mount a greater challenge in the future. football.london takes a look at the three key signings that need to be made in order to take the Gunners to the next level in the summer.
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Victor Osimhen
First on the list is a striker and after spending £45million on Gabriel Jesus this might seem rather fast to then target another marquee forward. Jesus has achieved what he arrived to do with the objective of taking the side to another level in the forward department, but there’s an obvious irony in trying to take on the club that upgraded on him with the Brazilian.
Jesus has helped Arsenal back to the Champions League and will be an asset for seasons to come thanks to his versatility and link-up. However, Arsenal, to challenge at the very top, need to add a striker that will score 20-plus Premier League goals in a season - perhaps more.
There are few around that are likely to bring that but Victor Osimhen, who has been linked, is probably the best option around, if you can prize him away from Napoli. His two years on his contract will hopefully allow for a greater chance at securing the Nigerian but his 21 Serie A goals from 25 games are sure to secure him a very serious price tag.
Cheaper alternatives are a risky option because the striker signing needs to be a near-guarantee with only the best young talent the other route the club could take. Rasmus Hojlund or even our very own Folarin Balogun could be others to consider.
Declan Rice
Who football.london understands to be as the club’s priority target for the summer and for good reason. Declan Rice has shown in the last couple of weeks the level his game can reach not only from the characteristically astute defensive side but his technical game too.
It was the goals against Gent and Bournemouth that have shown how he could play not only in place of Thomas Partey but instead of the Ghanaian too. Another pricey option but one that’d surely bring not only quality depth but options to rotate in the league and Europe and give greater tactical flexibility to Mikel Arteta.
There’s a strong argument that a second central midfielder should also be brought in. Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are names that have been welcomingly linked to the club and could represent good options to provide Granit Xhaka with equal competition to the Rice/Partey dynamic.
Right-back
Unlike the striker and central midfield, an immediate name doesn’t stand out. With William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu out simultaneously, it has highlighted the weakness on Arsenal’s right side of defence that was ripped open against Man City on Wednesday.
Having another option at right-back would allow both variations in style to the existing Ben White and Tomiyasu, but also allow for the aforementioned England international to become Saliba’s competitor again at right centre-half. Yet the options to find this player are numerous but without leading candidates.
Two of the highest assisting right-backs in Europe are Mitchell Weiser of Werder Bremen with nine and Jonathan Clauss of Marseille with eight. However, with both 29 and 30 respectively, they are not particularly the right age profiles that the club typically move for.
Ivan Fresneda and Sacha Boey have both been outwardly mentioned in reports as being linked to the club. Both are far younger options but have very little in the way of an established track record playing at an elite level.
The club’s scouting has been strong and needs to continue for the Gunners to again fight at the very top of the table. They cannot allow themselves to falter like Liverpool have of late and Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta must not miss.
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