Arsenal looked to be on the brink of Premier League title glory just a few weeks ago, but now reigning champions Manchester City have a firm advantage. Four games without a win has seen control shift between the two title rivals with City still having two games in hand on the Gunners after closing the gap down to two points after their 4-1 win against Arsenal on Wednesday evening.
However, the title has not been decided yet and Arsenal could still see themselves crowned as Premier League winners, but they must win their remaining five games. City would also have to drop points for Arsenal to gain the title edge back and with 12 wins from their last 14, that doesn't appear too likely to happen.
Nonetheless, Arsenal have proven they can go head-to-head with City over a 38-game season and even if this campaign does end in disappointment, their process will not stop there. Arsenal have a young and hungry squad that are ready to attack the league in years to come and their success this season has also seen a Champions League spot for the 2023/24 tournament secured.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on title race, Odegaard's verdict and Man City loss
Squad depth and experience has ultimately counted for City in the late season run-in, but with a few more transfers there's no reason why Arsenal cannot return to the fight next year. With that said, football.london has outlined what could be Arteta's dream XI to compete in the Premier League and Champions League next season with six new arrivals.
Aaron Ramsdale
While Aaron Ramsdale has come under fire for some of his displays, there is no doubt he will be an important figure in the Arsenal team for years to come.
Had it not been for the 24-year-old's saves in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Arsenal may not have left Anfield with a point. He also made numerous stops to deny Erling Haaland, and prevent a far worse score line against Manchester City.
Ivan Fresneda
The first of the new signings has to arrive at right-back in Ivan Fresneda. The Real Sociedad teenager was a target of the Gunners in the January transfer window but he opted to remain in Spain. In the months following, he has discussed Arsenal on numerous occasions, with his latest comments hinting at a summer move.
“I like Arteta a lot because I think he’s a great coach; I follow the European leagues and I think the work he’s doing with his club is fantastic,” Fresneda told The Athletic.
The overriding quality that Fresneda possesses that Arteta will love is the fact he can play as an inverted full-back. His arrival would also allow Arteta to be versatile regarding his full-back selections with Oleksandr Zinchenko's ability to play the role extremely valuable.
William Saliba
There is no need for a starting XI upgrade to the existing defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. The Frenchman's injury has severely affected the Gunners towards the end of the season and further additions are definitely needed.
Gabriel Magalhaes
The best performances of Gabriel Magalhaes have come next to William Saliba and he has also struggled since the injury to his usual centre-back partner. Jakub Kiwior, in time, can be a regular first-team option, but it is hard to argue that another central defender is needed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Despite recent struggles, Oleksandr Zinchenko is vital to Arteta's system. Kieran Tierney is an adequate cover option, although he may be off in the summer in search of more minutes.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has also thrived on the left as a main stream full-back and the arrival of Fresneda could allow him to play the inverted role with Tomiyasu as perfect cover in each position, on the opposite side of the player who comes central.
Declan Rice
The major additions simply have to come in midfield and West Ham captain Declan Rice looks the most likely to move. As football.london have reported since the end of the January transfer window, Rice is the Gunners top target for the summer.
Critics have been nullified in recent weeks with Rice helping West Ham into another major European semi-final and away from the relegation battle by dominating in midfield and scoring two goals in his last appearances.
Moises Caicedo
It is certainly possible for Arsenal to acquire both Rice and Brighton's Moises Caicedo and that duo would likely form their central midfield partnership for the next five years.
The Gunners sent several bids to the Seagulls for Caicedo in January but saw all rebuffed, however that does not rule out a summer switch, even with him signing a new Brighton contract.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has the potential to be the Premier League's poster boy if he continues his upward trajectory. Keeping Reiss Nelson around will be important for Arteta though, to offer cover and competition for his star man.
The 21-year-old has scored 14 goals this season and tying down his future is a clear priority which looks set to be completed ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Martin Odegaard
The Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is going nowhere. The Norway international is the spark of creativity Arsenal have been lacking since the prime years of Mesut Ozil.
His leadership skills have been tested this season and will certainly be again in coming campaigns if Arsenal are to challenge regularly for football's top prizes.
Gabriel Martinelli
What a bargain buy Gabriel Martinelli is turning out to be. The 2022/23 season has been by far his best in an Arsenal shirt, with the competition provided by Leandro Trossard's arrival only spurring him on.
At just 21, like Saka, the duo are sure to be the future of the wings for Arsenal, especially as they link up so excellently.
Gabriel Jesus
Although he is not the focal point some may want, Gabriel Jesus is integral to the Arsenal system. When he drops deep, so much space is available for others to attack and he has also proven to be a live wire in the penalty box when needed.
There is also plenty of competition in this position, especially if Arsenal can keep hold of Folarin Balogun, with Eddie Nketiah also fighting to come in.
Depth signings: Timo Horn, Mohamed Kudus, Evan Ndicka
The biggest worry for Arsenal is depth. Quality players to come in when others are misfiring or injured is vital as Manchester City have shown. Signing goalkeeper Timo Horn, versatile midfielder Mohamed Kudus and centre-back Evand Ndicka would certainly lessen any concerns.
Horn is set to leave Koln in the summer and is therefore available on a free transfer. The German could be the ideal back-up option to Ramsdale. Ajax star Kudus has previously been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool and his performances at the World Cup with Ghana certainly helped his case for a possible move.
He can play both in an advanced role and a deeper role as a midfielder, which certainly helps his chances of being signed by the Gunners, knowing Arteta's love for versatile players.
Finally we come to Ndicka, another player likely to leave his club - Eintracht Frankfurt - for free this summer, and the France international has also been linked with an Emirates Stadium switch.
Having his capabilities on the bench if injury were to ever strike Saliba or Gabriel could be huge for Arsenal to maintain the pursuit for whatever they're challenging for. He has played at an elite level and could certainly thrive in England, with his physicality a massive plus.
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