Mikel Arteta could have a dream starting XI for Arsenal's opening day Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest if a £205million triple transfer swoop is completed. The Gunners are in the market to make numerous marquee additions which could see them return to the title picture after pushing Manchester City in the most recent campaign.
Champions League football will also be making its return to Emirates Stadium and with that arrives the need for squad depth. Injuries in key positions to pivotal stars ultimately cost Mikel Arteta last season and he will be adamant to ensure that does not happen again.
Despite the progress made, several key stars such as Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka could depart, but their replacements may take Arsenal to the next level. Alongside a significant midfield revamp, further additions in defence are needed and look set to occur.
With that said, football.london has put together what would be Arteta's dream starting XI if his transfer aims are completed and injuries do not strike during pre-season.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal's signing of Aaron Ramsdale in the summer of 2020 was heavily criticised, but three years later he has proved that he is the right man for the job.
Mistakes do still need to be ironed out of his game but the importance of his character is evident and it's obvious the 2022/23 campaign was his best. On numerous occasions, particularly when an injury crisis hit in defence, he stepped up when Arsenal needed him and showed why Arteta had picked the right man for his project
READ MORE: Arsenal star's transfer stance gives Mikel Arteta £34m windfall boost in Declan Rice chase
RB: Jurrien Timber
The first of the new signings arrives in defence with Jurrien Timber who will give Arsenal an extra dimension to their game. The qualities of an inverted full-back were firmly on show with Oleksandr Zinchenko last season and the Netherlands international also has the ability to step into midfield.
At Ajax, Timber played most of the 2022/23 season at right-back, but he gave the Dutch giants an extra option in midfield and his composure on the ball will be greatly utilised in north London. A second offer worth in the region of £40million was submitted earlier this week and negotiations now look to be heading in the right direction with personal terms already agreed.
CB: Ben White
Despite being played out of position, Ben White excelled at right-back. But the long-term plan was always for him to play in the centre of defence.
The acquisition of Timber would give Arteta the chance to deploy his £50million man in that position. The England international's knowledge of being the furthest defender on the right will also be a boost if Timber is trapped in midfield and Arsenal lose the ball in the transition, as he would have full confidence in a duel with a winger when being faced one-on-one in the channel.
CB: William Saliba
Ben White's move inside would result in William Saliba playing on the left of the two and thus would push Gabriel Magalhaes out of the team. The Brazilian defender is an excellent defender in his own right but Arteta's hopes to play White in this position likely outweigh the need for a natural left-footer in the role.
Saliba's recovery from a serious back injury could alter plans but if he is fit then his spot in the starting XI is guaranteed. The Frenchman also appears more comfortable on his weaker foot than White which would see him take up this position. Having Gabriel on the bench or possibly rotated in for certain games will also be a massive plus for the Gunners.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko
Arsenal saw a new edge added to their game with the acquisition of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. The Ukraine international drifted into midfield frequently and gave Arsenal an extra body in the engine room while in possession which also benefitted Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Having Timber on the other side could be counter-productive though, with both wanting to come inside, but the duo are also capable defenders and can alternate their movement based on how and where an attack is developing.
CDM: Declan Rice
To take those gambles at full-back, the need to sign Declan Rice is paramount. The way the 24-year-old covers ground and does so with such composure is a skill that cannot be matched by many in world football.
The Gunners are currently locked in the battle for his signature against Manchester City, but a third bid closer to West Ham's £100million valuation is expected to arrive soon and that could finally end the summer saga surrounding the England international.
RCM: Martin Odegaard
Captain Martin Odegaard will play another crucial role this season. As the key point linking midfield and attack, the former Real Madrid man's job is to pick up the tight spaces in between the opposition lines and it was one he did so effectively last season.
The exit of Granit Xhaka, and the planned arrival of his replacement, could see Odegaard take up a different role, but he would certainly be up for the challenge.
LCM: Kai Havertz
This is where Arteta's 2023/24 plans certainly get interesting. Despite playing in attack for Chelsea during the 2022/23 season, Arteta has already confirmed to Havertz his intention to deploy him in an advanced midfield role.
Havertz struggled significantly during his time at Stamford Bridge, but the Spaniard knows exactly how to get the best out of him. Being a poacher is not his best strength, but making late attacking runs into the box and drawing out defenders certainly is one of his good traits.
Because of his time as an attacker, Havertz also doesn't get much praise for his defensive work rate and while that does involve giving away a lot of fouls, his off the ball decisions don't get any recognition, but they certainly will in Arteta's Arsenal team.
RW: Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka enjoyed a superb season last time out and there is no reason why the next nine months cannot be the exact same, if not better.
Although left-backs often know what the tricky Englishman is going to do, stopping him is another challenge entirely. Fresh off a new contract, the 21-year-old will be hoping to surpass his 26-goal contribution tally with what could be a new type of right-back playing behind him.
ST: Gabriel Jesus
Despite some profligacy in front of goal, Gabriel Jesus remains as the perfect No.9 for Arteta. Folarin Balogun's sensational goal scoring season on loan at Reims in Ligue 1 could have changed plans, but at the moment a departure for him looks likely.
A severe knee injury saw the Brazilian miss over three months of action and yet he still scored 11 league goals. The former Man City man is also crucial to the success of other players in the system with his decision to drop deeper last season opening space for Gabriel Martinelli and Xhaka, with Havertz now likely to be the beneficiary of that.
LW Gabriel Martinelli
The frightening pace of Gabriel Martinelli is a lethal weapon that Arsenal will undoubtedly continue to use. Since his £6million move to the Gunners, Martinelli has refined his finishing superbly and he could now be considered the most natural finisher at the club.
Jesus' play style helps his involvement in games greatly as he is given the chance to run behind defences. Leandro Trossard will compete with him for the role, but both offer very different things to the team, and at the moment Martinelli's qualities are too good to not take advantage of.
