What positions do I think Arsenal need to strengthen in the summer?
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad are having a great season,. Last season was such a disappointment after leading the league for so long that I thought this season might have been a bit harder for us but after some great recruitment from the club and the manager, we’ve looked stronger than we’ve been in a very long time.
The season is almost done and were edging towards another transfer window where we could see a big influx of spending from Arsenal and probably a few outgoings too. We sit top of the league going into the international break and with Manchester City up next at The Etihad, this could be our most important game and part of the season.
Looking forward to the summer, I wanted to delve into what positions I think Arsenal need to strengthen in the summer.
Because we are talking about football, where everything is ever changing, this could change depending on who stays and who goes, we could be looking at a big spending summer after FFP stopped us signing anyone in January. Here’s where I think we need to strengthen as of now.
First off, I think a striker is going to be necessary. We obviously have Jesus and Nketiah who are out and out strikers and in recent months Havertz and Trossard have both also taken the role in their strides and have been doing well there, but Arsenal for me, need a world class striker and these days they’re not always easy to find.
A few sides will also be on the look out for a new striker so there will be competition to sign a world class striker, but I think it needs to be done. With Jesus on and off with injuries, it’s made him unreliable, and Areta doesn’t seem to have the trust in Nketiah to play against the bigger teams and do a job. If were going to keep Jesus or Nketiah (which I don’t think we will end up keeping both), then they need someone else to be able to cover them and push us forward.
Secondly, I’d say we might need to invest in another right winger, Saka is unbelievable, but he does get played, for me, far too often. It’s a huge risk, and if he isn’t injured, he’s playing. Nelson can cover that spot, but again it feels like Arteta doesn’t have the trust in Nelson that he could or should have. I personally would like to see a new young talent brought in to help Saka and give him a break, even if it’s just to come off the bench and provide some rest for our star winger.
This all obviously depends on who we do and don’t sell this summer, and some positions may become more important to fill than others, but from where I’m sitting these are the two positions I think will need to focus on to make this squad have even more depth than we already do.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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Defensive Midfield most urgent with Elneny, Partey and Jorginho set to go in the summer that leaves only Declan Rice which we are hoping develop his game further up
we have good Attacking Midfield depth including youngsters coming through like Patino and Nwaneri, but they do not have the physique, skill set or desire to transform in to an instant Defensive Midfield fortress
it may be we get 1 more year out of Jorginho but as it stands he walks for free in 3 months time, and in any case that is just 1 year
Partey is gone for me, best days well behind him, always injured never plays, can’t rely on him, we need to move to secure our long term future
so for me the top priority is two high quality Defensive Midfielders, may be one this summer and one next summer
👍 Arsenal1886, I am will you on the need for a top class DM to take over from Jorginho and Partey to allow Declan Rice to play further forward.
The need for two young and powerful midfielders are well documented.
The gaffer obsession for a top winger is justified.
An attack bully would add balance to the outfit.
Definitely defense midfielder and backup for odegard and left back
We’re the highest scoring team in the PL, and it’s “urgent” to sign a striker?
No way. If we do get a goal scorer to compliment the players already in the squad, then fair enough, but it’s NOT urgent by any means.
More important is to replace the old crock Partey before looking at any other positions.
Top stiker like osimhen a top miedfielder like douglas luiz and top back up for the tired zinchenko
Top quality replacements for the injury prone Partey and Tierney and an upgrade at central striker for Nketiah.If Arteta cannot trust ESR and Nelson a winger like Williams of AB, will be essential despite the fact that Jesus and Trossard are both natural right wingers.In terms of the “urgency” which is implied by the writer, someone of the calibre of Partey would be my top priority.
Grandad, how much will a “better” RB than Keiran Tiernay cost? Unfortunately Arteta has consigned him to the reserves bench, because he doesn’t like his style of play. Sometimes the demands of the game require a stronger defensive RB, which Tiernay is
Tierney’s not better defensively than kiwior or Tomi, even if they’re not “natural” left backs – his advantage over them is that he has the pace and energy to drive to the opponents box/biline and he’s a very good crosser (much better than Tomi/kiwior). Defensively, he’s just decent/good but really overrated (likely because he’s most often compared to zinchenko, who’s quite poor defensively). I remember him struggling with plenty of wingers 1v1.
Davi, a matter of opinion re defense, but I agree with your assessment of Tierneys speed, engine and crossing ability.
Sorry to disagree with your last line Ozzie, but I strongly suggest the demands of what MA thinks will suit our style of play best are more real than the demand of what you call “the game”.
The point surely is WHOSE GAME ? Yours or any of ours on JA? Or, as I suggest , MA’S GAME!!
Football history is littered with myriad player who fans think terrific but whose manages do not fancy their style of play.
Tierney is PLAINLY among them.
And to me THAT is the reality!
In my opinion, we have the LB in good hands with Tomiyasu, Kiwior and Timber.
We also have ESR in the Odegaard role and Zinchenko plus Jorginho for the DM duties.
We could improve on the latter players mentioned, but that would cost a lot of money and, in my view, unnecessary for next season.
What we desperately need is a player up front who can implement a different style of play (some call it plan B, X, Y, or Z) and a cover for Zaka before he burns himself out.
Of course, keeping both Ramsdale and Raya on board is essential and if one decides not to play second fiddle, then another proven keeper will be required – Butland would be an ideal signing.
Timber, although versatile KEN, is considered as a better RB , rather than a LB. Also a CB of course and I guess none of us can WAIT til he is fit again!
Methinks you are kidding yourself though if you actually BELIEVE Ramsdale will agree to hang around while clearly second choice.
Clearly he will not and that is simply REALITY!
Jon, it’s NOT a reality until it happens is it?
Rather, it’s just your personal opinion isn’t it?
YES ken ypou are correct in sayong its NOT areality until he leaves. Correct thne TECHNICALLY.
But unles you seriously believe he will agre to hang around a ssecond choice OR that somehow he will now usurp Raya as MAs first choice, that reality will be one THIS SUMMER.
THINGS THAT PLAINLY WILL happen and shortly too, are not YET reality but its legit to describe them as being reality, given the absolute certainly of him leaving.
If you disagree that he will leave, then fine, which means TO YOU it is not a reality
But to me AND I suggest to most Gooners it shortly WILL BE A REALITY.
But as with Wenger, the REALITY WAS THAT HE WAS ASKED TO RESIGN, OR ELSE BE SACKED. SO HE DID.
But to YOU, that is not YOUR reality.
QED!
What I am saying Jon, is that until something actually happens, it cannot be claimed to be a reality as you just did!!
It’s strange that you castigate others for not using the English language correctly, be it a technicality or not.
I’m not saying it won’t happen, but I just don’t know.
I would hate to look foolish if Aaron Ramsdale decides to stay and fight for his place in a team that might just have won the PL and CL – where would he go to better that?!
Nwaneri is better upgrade in the number ten role given lokonga is mature but needs time with the fact that vieira is also to burst next season with timber also fit to play next season let arsenal add atop striker like osimhen or gyokerees with biereth also returning and backup ;need to add cover for saliba and gabi
On what actualEVIDDENCE, dpo you base fancifully optimistic thought that “Viera is also to burst next season”?
I see NO evidence at all but simply a hopeful but unrealistic statement by you.
But it is his opinion and frankly he might be right.
Not Douglas Luis, please!
He is a dirty player, very unArsenal.
A wc striker or one with the potential. Why?
Because it allows jesus to cover saka on the rw so basically feels two urgent needs in 1 transfer. Saka is available nearly all the time and one of the best in his position so his cover needs to be versatile like trossard so as not to warm the bench as well as good enough for not having a huge drop in quality when saka is not available.
A top DM/CM to replace partey who seems likely to leave. Jorginho getting an extension so Rice, new dm and jorgi is enough cover. The rest i think we have enough and will depend on outgoings so we can make 2 blockbuster signings this summer.
1) Arsenal should bring in Osimhen as our top striker.
2) keep Tierney and when he plays use the RB to invert play i.e Ben white Tomiyasu or Timber.
3) use Jesus for the Rw to compete with Saka.
4) Zinchenko should be move to the left 8 mf if no xhaka replacement can’t be find.
5) sell nkethia bring in Berieth to compete with Osimhen when signed.
6) Nelson,elneny , Cedric, lokonga sell.
Timber and Kiwior have LB locked down, so either move Zinchenko to the midfield or sell him.
If Tomiyasu is backup RB, then we need another CB with only Saliba and Gabriel. If Tomiyasu is in the CB mix, then we need a backup RB.
Kiwior has shown he’s too reliable to be 3rd choice anything (LB or CB), so we need another defender, CB or RB.
Havertz has shown how a scoring striker improves our attack, ending the false narrative that it takes chances/goals away from wingers & Odegaard.
We need a FINISHER in striker position, not required to spend 100 million to find one.
Lastly, 2 midfielders needed. A B2B, and another who can play both DM and B2B.
A winger is just icing on the cake, but only if Jesus is moved on. Any quality player won’t be content to be a 4th choice behind Jesus or Teossard.
Some players are not going anywhere. ESR I believe is our secret weapon to be unleashed on unsuspecting victims like Bayern/Real/ManC…… Reiss Nelson is our back up Incase Saka is benched. Jorghinho will be kept for his deep playmaking capabilities. Zinchenko will take up back up B2B no.8 cm role.
But Ramsdale, Elneny and Partey will be making their way for a DM and CF.