As Arsenal supporters streamed out of the Emirates towards the end of their dismal 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday that saw their title challenge implode, they could at least look back on a season full of fantastic memories.
Mikel Arteta‘s side have shown incredible progress, resilience and quality to bounce back from last year’s heartbreak of missing out on the Champions League to mount a title challenge that few predicted at the start of the campaign.
Once the Spaniard licks his wounds and reflects, he will no doubt have immense pride at how his young side have developed over the past 12 months.
It’s expected to be a big summer for the club as they prepare for their first Champions League campaign in seven years, with a sizeable squad overhaul on the horizon.
Reports claim the Gunners will have upwards of £200m to spend as they loosen the purse strings, plus any money raised from the sale of several first team and squad members.
Mikel Arteta is planning a major squad overhaul after Arsenal’s title challenge imploded
It has been a fantastic season for the Gunners but Arteta (right) is keen to improve his options
Reiss Nelson is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has rejected any new offers so far as he seeks more first team football, while Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Emile Smith Rowe could move on after struggling for gametime.
Meanwhile, £30m-rated Folarin Balogun – who has enjoyed a fine season on loan in Ligue 1 at Reims – is attracting interest from around Europe and is reluctant to return to the Gunners in a bit-part role.
Surprisingly, Granit Xhaka could also be allowed to move on, with Bayer Leverkusen having a concrete interest in the Swiss star.
The Gunners have been linked with several players including Declan Rice, Wilfried Zaha, Moussa Diaby, Moises Caicedo and Marc Guehi.
In light of that, Mail Sport takes a look at how Arteta’s side could line up next season in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
There were several memorable moments for Arsenal as they launched a shock title challenge
Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale
With 13 clean sheets this season in 36 games, Aaron Ramsdale has enjoyed a fine year in net for the Gunners with several stunning saves regularly keeping his team in games.
At the age of 25, he is still relatively young for a goalkeeper and the former Sheffield United and Bournemouth stopper will be a pillar of this side for years to come.
He’s been guilty of a few errors of late but Ramsdale is still highly…