Arsenal’s priority this summer could not be clearer. They might not be Europe’s biggest spenders again, but a similar level of investment to last year is required once more.
We are at the start of a huge summer for most of the top six. We looked first at Manchester United, what they need in the transfer window, and how likely they are to get it done. Now it’s Arsenal’s turn…
What should be their priority this summer?
Since they will have literally no senior strikers left come July 1, Arsenal have no choice but to source a goalscorer. Mikel Arteta needs not one forward, but two.
Arsenal went after a centre-forward in January but they paid for putting all their eggs in Dusan Vlahovic’s basket. Even if Eddie Nketiah accepts the best-and-final contract offer, with Alexandre Lacazette on his way, the Gunners cannot miss this summer. A top-class hit-man will not come cheap (or even Alvaro Morata), but last summer’s outlay of almost £150million shows Arsenal are willing to spend when necessary.
What else do they need?
Arteta spelled it out in general terms in the wake of Arsenal’s failure to finish in the top four.
“Now we have to start to add the top-quality pieces that they are not necessarily at 18, 19 or 20-years-old. We will do what it takes to get better in every department. Not only the age group but in terms of the quality, in terms of leadership, in terms of the goal threat, in terms of the physicality of this team that we need to improve as well so there are a lot of areas.”
An experienced central midfielder will tick a few of those boxes. Mohammed Elneny, who was expected to depart as a free agent, has signed a new contract which makes sense given the increased workload next summer. But Arteta needs to follow up the procurement of a genuine goal threat – ideally two players capable of finding the net regularly – with a dynamic midfielder.
The Gunners also require greater strength in depth. Their last season was 45 matches…
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