Arsenal have been one of the busiest Premier League times during the first month of the summer transfer window.
Technical director Edu has added four players to Mikel Arteta's squad already, bringing in American 'keeper Matt Turner, young Brazilian winger Marquinhos, talented Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira and prolific centre-forward Gabriel Jesus. Still, the north London outfit continue to be linked with a number of top-class players, including the likes of Lyon's Lucas Paqueta and Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Goal have claimed that the former could cost up to €80 million (£67 million) this summer whilst CIES Football Observatory value the latter between €20 million - €30 million (£17 million - £25 million), meaning the highly-rated duo could cost up to £92 million combined. Now, football.london takes a look at two different ways Arteta could line up if the Gunners were able to finance deals for both Paqueta and Zinchenko before the transfer window closes.
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Inverted fullback
During his time at City, Zinchenko has predominantly been deployed as an inverted left-back, tucking into midfield when Pep Guardiola's side are in possession - allowing the Citizens' wingers to stay high and wide to stretch the opposition's defensive line. The Ukrainian's elite technical prowess would effectively allow Arsenal to operate in a 3-2-5 shape when they have the ball, tucking into the middle of the park alongside no.6 Thomas Partey.
Ahead of them, Paqueta could roam into the final third to offer his rare blend of flair, intelligent movement and powerful finishing - attributes that would certainly ease the creative burden from Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard. A front three consisting of young wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on either side of the aforementioned Jesus would then have plenty of chances to get on the scoresheet in this system.
Tierney plays
Scottish star Kieran Tierney has established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent left-backs during his time with Arsenal and when fit it would certainly be difficult for Zinchenko to displace him from the starting line-up. However, the City star is no stranger to starting further forward, operating as a central midfielder before joining Guardiola's side in 2016.
In this set-up, the 25-year-old could be utilised centrally whilst Paqueta plays as a false nine with Jesus and Saka flanking him. Jesus predominantly was used out wide last season and Paqueta is no stranger to playing more advanced.
In fact, the former AC Milan man played as a frontman five times in Ligue 1 last season, three of those came in October 2021 - when he won Ligue 1 player of the month.
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