Arsenal must resolve some huge issues in the summer if they want next season to be a success.
Arsenal is facing a critical summer whether they qualify for the Champions League or not and failure to deal with the biggest issues could have a knock-on effect that could have a detrimental impact on the team next season.
What to do with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
If Arsenal’s best player signs a new contract then that is this issue settled but there is no sign of that happening. In the event the Premier League’s leading goal scorer does not agree on a new deal then Arsenal will have to decide whether to sell or allow him to run his contract down.
New deals for exciting youngsters
Arsenal really has to agree to new deals with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli and possibly even Eddie Nketiah if he continues to progress. If they do not then they cannot be surprised at all if another club comes in and snaps them up.
Does Dani Ceballos, Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares stay or leave?
These are three loan signings and decisions will have to be made whether they are signed permanently or not. Obviously Mari and Soares have yet to play for the club but they almost certainly will do so and once they do, they will be in the same bracket as Ceballos.
Mohamed Elneny and Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Both players need to be sold or they will return to the Emirates. They could possibly be loaned out again but that would be unlikely. Maybe Mikel Arteta fancies having them back, who knows. But regardless, a decision has to be made about them.
Mesut Ozil
Does the club want to see the back of the German? If they do then will they agree to subsidise his wages and ship him out on loan or is Arteta happy to have him stay in the team for one more season?
1. Keep Auba if he wants to stay, sell if he wants to run down his contract.
2. Sell Laca – Nketiah/Martinelli can handle his loss
3. Buy Said Behnrama to replace Laca and have another attacking option
4. Buy Gabrielle Maghalles – anyone who thinks Upamencano is coming to a club not in champions league is kidding themselves
5. Buy Central Midfielder – I like Dominik Szobsozlai from RB Salzburg
6. Buy Attacking Midfielder – I like Grealish
7. Sell all deadwood – Miki, El-Neny etc
I have confidence in our new Manager to influence the Executive to make the moves which are in the best interests of the Club, on and off the pitch.Like Roshan I am very impressed with Dominik Szobsozlai ,a talented young Hungarian who is going to the top.Of all the midfielders we have been linked with, he would be my first choice.
I fully agree with you Roshan. It will be another interesting summer. We are not in a dire need of in any position right now unlike other seasons as MA seems to improve players in all areas.
I would say our first priority would be Auba signing the contract. If not then we have to rethink our strategy .
As for Auba, we don’t have to sell if he wants to stay. I kind of like the sound of that.
The rest will depend on what is going on behind that cool mien of Mikel Arteta’s. You never know what pleasant surprise he will pull out of the hat.
Don’t see where Mkhi or Elneny will fit into the side with Torreira, Xhaka, Caballos, Özil, AMN, Willock, Guendouzi already killing themselves for places. They should be sold. Auba’s contract should be allowed to run out if he does not renew. His 15 -20 goals could make the difference between being in the Champs league the year after or not, and what is THAT worth?
Laca should be sold, imperative that Saka signs anextension.
The final decision as to who remains in the squad, who departs and who is recruited should rest with Arteta as head coach (within the Club’s financial constraints).