To say that Arsenal’s first full season under Mikel Arteta has been a transition period is an understatement. The Gunners are currently in ninth place in the Premier League after losing 11 games already – that’s one more than they lost during the entire 2019/20 campaign when they finished in a disappointing eighth.
A difficult campaign was inevitable, but some have been less understandable in terms of the size of the task.
During the Christmas period, Arteta finally decided on a system and since then the team has shown signs of improvement in terms of their performance – although the results did not always tell the whole story.
It is clear that the squad still needs further reinforcement, but given that Arsenal may be without European football next season and the economic effects of the pandemic, they may need to pick and choose their priorities. At 90 minutes, we looked at which areas constitute the most urgent need for the summer transfer window.
Bellerin has been linked to a move away | Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Hector Bellerin may be on his way to the front door this summer. It is understood that the player wants to take on a new challenge and given that he is a salable asset, a transfer feels like it could be the best step for everyone involved.
But if he is to resign, Arsenal would have to rely on Cedric Soares and Callum Chambers to fill the position. In the Chamber’s case, there is much debate as to whether this is his strongest position or not. The former Southampton man impressed West Ham in the Gunners’ latest Premier League outing. But he still has a lot to prove if he is to establish himself as a direct replacement for Bellerin.
Maitland-Niles is due to return in the summer, another player who can play at right back – in this case, the solution can be found internally.
Kieran Tierney has impressed this season but he, like many others at the club, has struggled with injuries | Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Kieran Tierney has proven to be more than worthy of being the club’s left back. But injuries have been a problem for the 23-year-old ever since he joined the Gunners.
After letting both Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles leave on loan, Arsenal desperately left themselves covered for the former Celtic man and were forced to turn to right-back Cedric Soares to fill in.
For the most part, he did a fantastic job, but with the future of both Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles up in the air, Arteta should look to someone to provide natural coverage to Tierney if he is absent for a period of time.
It is likely that the economy will be tight at the Emirates Stadium this summer and as a result, the club will need to be creative in the transfer market.
Southampton Ryan Bertrand, who is out of contract at the end of the season and a Champions League winner, feels like a good reserve option for a free transfer.
Alexandre Lacazette has contributed 13 goals in all competitions this season Pool / Getty Images
The Arsenal manager has some decisions to make regarding his striking options. After tying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to a new contract last year, the Gabonese striker’s form has not been as impressive as last season.
This time it is Alexandre Lacazette who will sign the final contract year at the Emirates Stadium – but does Arteta think both strikers are worth making a significant investment at this stage of their careers or will he see a longer term future? Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun have struggled to get a look in and exits for both seem to be on the cards.
Gabriel Martinelli could be turned into a striker and give Arsenal an internal solution to a potential exit for Lacazette. In any case, this is an area that needs to be addressed.
Celtic attacker Odsonne Edouard continues to be linked to a move to north London but before anyone comes in, the future of those currently at the club must be resolved.
Martin Odegaard is currently on loan at Arsenal from Real Madrid | Dan Mullan / Getty Images
Martin Odegaard has been a hit at Arsenal so far. But with every strong performance that Norway shows, it will be for the club to persuade Real Madrid to sell him.
When it comes to recruiting for the attacking midfield position, he really should be the priority that he has already proven capable of settling in the club and adapting to the Premier League.
If a permanent agreement or an extension of the loan cannot be reached, Arsenal may need to apply elsewhere. But only when they have used all the alternatives should the Gunners give up the 22-year-old who seems to have an extremely high ceiling and the ability to continue and become an Arsenal hero.
The club is still linked with Norwich Citys Emiliano Buendia as an alternative but he has not yet shown that he can adapt to life at a big club.
Despite spending £ 45m on Thomas Partey last summer, the Gunners still have a midfield problem Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
In the middle of the midfield, the first area the club has to deal with this summer despite striking out £ 45 million on Thomas Partey at the start of the campaign. The Ghanaian has struggled with injuries this season and he has yet to show his best in an Arsenal shirt as a result. Granit Xhaka has often been a partner with him and is, regardless of people’s thoughts about him, one of Arteta’s first names on the team magazine.
Dani Ceballos looks unlikely to join the club on a permanent deal and Real Madrid have no intention of letting him spend a third season on loan at London. Mohamed Elneny, despite all his similarities, is not up to the required standard and Lucas Torreira has made it clear that he prefers to move from Europe.
Matteo Guendouzi is returning from his loan spell in Germany, but given his complicated relationship with Arteta, his long-term future at the club is uncertain.
Arsenal have been linked with Brighton Yves Bissouma and Real Betis’ Guido Rodriguez but you feel that some significant expenses will depend on the sale of some of the above borrowers.
