Arsenal are set for yet another busy summer transfer window. The north London side currently sit fifth in the Premier League table with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who are two points adrift following their win over Burnley.
If Mikel Arteta's side are able to finish above Spurs they will secure a place in next season's UEFA Champions League - a competition they haven't qualified for in each of the last five years. In doing so, Arsenal would become a high roller in the transfer window, boosting their chances of securing a host of star-studded signings.
football.london understands that the Gunners are keen to sign at least one attacker, a central midfielder and a backup full-back at the end of the current campaign. Gabriel Jesus, Aaron Hickey and Paulo Dybala have emerged as primary targets of Arteta, according to reports.
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football.london understands that Jesus and Roma frontman Tammy Abraham are among the shortlisted profiles who could arrive at Emirates Stadium this summer. The Manchester City forward, in particular, remains open to leaving the current Premier League champions, with his representative holding talks with Edu throughout the past few months.
Meanwhile, football.london also understands that Scottish left-back Hickey is one name that has caught the attention of Mikel Arteta and Edu ahead of the summer transfer window. Dybala, whose representatives opened talks with Arsenal in March according to Tuttomercatoweb, is available via a free transfer this summer.
While the Gunners might not splash the £85m required to sign all three reported targets this summer, just in case they do football.london take a look at how Arteta could line up with the three highly sought after talents.
4-3-3
With Jesus and Dybala in the Arsenal side, Arteta can operate a new-look front-three which oozes dynamism, creativity and an eye for goal. Though, with the South American duo starting, Bukayo Saka may have to surrender his role on the right-wing for Dybala, who likes to drift inside onto his left foot.
Sadly, no Martinelli or Emile Smith Rowe, though the latter could feature in the midfield three as he has done before. Kieran Tierney has suffered a handful of minor injuries this season, but Hickey finds himself on the bench ready to fill in.
4-2-3-1
The pivot. This allows Saka to retain his role on the right and gives Dybala the licence to roam and bridge the transition from defence to attack. Martinelli is a strong candidate at Arsenal to feature on the left, but Smith Rowe takes charge in this instance.
Odegaard has every right to feature in the number ten role, and he could even feature in the double pivot against weaker opposition when Arsenal are going to have greater control of possession. Again, Hickey is on the bench ready to fill in - a wealth of strength in depth, nonetheless.
3-4-3
Probably the most outlandish of the three, but a formation which will lift fans from their seats when Arteta is looking for a goal. Smith Rowe and Dybala as close-knit number tens behind Jesus is an incredibly exciting prospect, and one that would take the Premier League by storm.
Odegaard in the double pivot, as aforementioned, could work, though it's a bit overly ambitious for Arteta's militant setup. This formation has the scope to also quickly shift into a back-four if needs be.
Again, unfortunately for Hickey, the Bologna left-back finds himself on the bench. However, it's unlikely that Arsenal will have the entirety of their attacking options available so he could easily slide in at left wing-back.
