Everton and Wolves players have reached Agreement With Arsenal signing List this summer for an Undisclosed Fee
Arsenal came agonisingly close to winning their first Premier League crown in 20 years – and their squad isn’t far off being title worthy.
While the race to win the league came down to the final day, small margins remain the difference between Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and his former mentor Pep Guardiola.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks at how strengthening three key areas could overturn this season’s two point difference and bring the Premier League trophy to north London again.
The Gunners would appear to be all set in defence with William Saliba and Gabriel having formed a stellar partnership that carried Arsenal to the best defensive record in the league.
Yet Manchester City’s squad depth so often gives them the edge in the tiring run-in and Arsenal would do well to follow suit.
Saliba featured in every single Premier League match for Arsenal while Gabriel was only absent from two. Arteta shouldn’t be dependent on another injury-free season for the duo.
High up the Gunners’ wishlist is left-footed Ajax defender Jorrel Hato. At just 18 years old, the Dutchman featured in all but one of Ajax’s Eredivisie fixtures this season and has reportedly impressed Arsenal sporting director Edu.
Hato’s passing ability and tendency to surge forward and dribble out of defence could make him the perfect deputy to Saliba. He also has the ability to play at left-back, with versatility being favoured by Arteta in his other defenders too.
While the youngster signed a new contract with Ajax in March this year, the club’s failure to secure European football could mean he is lured away in the summer.
Another left-footed defender who may have piqued the Gunner’s interest is Manchester United transfer target Jarrad Branthwaite.
Among those named in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man provisional Euros squad, the English centre-back impressed at Everton and is now being touted for a big summer move.
If Arsenal are intent on top quality investment this window, they may also cast an eye over Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.
The 25-year-old has been a key component of Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga season, with an impressive number of progressive carries (2.11) and progressive passes (7.07) per 90 minutes.
They would all come at a cost with at least three years remaining on their contracts, but each could strengthen an increasingly impenetrable Arsenal backline.
Bukayo Saka has surged into debates surrounding that elite calibre of player deemed ‘world-class’ as quickly as he storms down Arsenal’s right-wing.
The England star is a firm fixture on any Arteta line-up, and unsurprisingly so, with 16 goals and nine assists in the Premier League this season.
Yet the Gunners’ overreliance on their 22-year-old star has led to flagging performances as Saka has carried an injury throughout the run-in having played 47 times across all competitions this season.
With Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe both facing the exit door at Arsenal this summer, it would be wise to invest in a back-up to Saka to keep their academy graduate firing for the duration.
