Five transfer priorities for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in summer

Arsenal Transfer Round-up Lacazette and Torreira swap

Arsenal were one of the clubs to make better use of the winter transfer window, offloading the likes of Ainsley Maitland Niles and Joe Willock on temporary loan moves. Furthermore, the North Londoners severed ties with Mesut Ozil, Sead Kolasinac and  Shkodran Mustafi after knowing that the trio wouldn’t be part of Mikel Arteta’s plans. Martin Odegaard was the notable incoming on loan from Real Madrid and there are huge expectations on the Norwegian. 

Nonetheless, Gunners haven’t been productive in terms of performances on the field and their squad overhaul is far from over. Last summer, they stunned everyone by signing Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid on the deadline and the North Londoners should be looking to do a similar sort of thing this time around.

Bringing in a back up for Bernd Leno.

Leno would be the undisputable starter in first place for Arteta but a proper back-up is needed to strengthen the position. Emiliano Martinez looked like the one but he proved out to be too good for a second-choice keeper and he moved to Aston Villa last summer. Brentford’s David Raya was a top target then and Arsenal could resume their interest despite having Runar Alex Runarrsson. Arsenal made a temporary arrangement with Mathew Ryan from Brighton with a loan move, they need to have a longer term solution to this issue.

Strengthening left-back.

The left-back void looks to be up for the grab following the injury to Kieran Tierney, though Cedric Soares has been deputised in the Scotts absence. Tierney would be deemed the starter after getting back to the fold and a cheap option will be more than enough to find a perfect understudy. In such a case, Arteta can target Crystal Palace full-back Patrick van Aanholt.

Earlier Bukayo Saka was temporarily being used as a left back and the talented youngster had coped with the role and added attacking advantage that he could provide. But Arsenal management rightly have taken away that burden and given Saka more attacking role.

Signing an attacking midfielder

Arteta’s setup demands more from midfielders especially the ones who could pull strings between the lines. Although the Gunners would be delighted to have youngsters like Emile Smith Rowe and Odegaard (loan)  in that role, a highly experienced player could bring much to the table. Dominik Szobszlai was Arsenal’s primary target before he joined RB Leipzig in January.

High-flying wingers

Arteta has been often forced to use full-backs as the width providers, with the forwards tucking inside to get near the penalty box. Nicolas Pepe and Willian have been underwhelming this season but bringing in a pacy winger with more technical qualities would add the right-balance to the Spanish manager.

An upgrade over Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wouldn’t be playing at the Emirates Stadium for a long time and the coming summer will be a perfect time for them to snap up a striker with all-round capabilities.