The Premier League season is finally over, and the rumour mill is kicking up some dust already, so we thought we’d take a look at our potential starting XI, should such rumours prove to be true…
Petr Cech is under no pressure for his starting role, and will no doubt slot straight into our team for the upcoming season, but arrivals could come in for a host of positions, especially with various players headed for the exit door.
Kieran Gibbs lost the battle with Nacho Monreal this summer, and is believed to be leaving, leading us to take a serious look at replacements. Kieran Tierney has had a impressive breakthrough year with Celtic, and a £10 Million deal is being speculated.
Another potential addition could be Swansea’s Ashley Williams, who has proven to be a consistent performer since helping his side earn promotion to the English top division in 2011. The Welsh international would of course line-up alongside Laurent Koscielny, with both Gabriel and Mertesacker struggling to earn a regular starting berth.
Two central midfield stars are believed to be close to joining the Gunners, with Granit Xhaka said to have already agreed personal terms, and N’Golo Kante said to have ‘decided’ to move to the Emirates also. These two could share the two roles at the base of the midfield with Coquelin and Elneny, with Le Coq most likely to feature least.
Moving to our forward-line, and Alexis Sanchez is not 100% certain to commit his future to the club in my eyes, although a ready-made replacement in Henrikh Mkhitaryan is believed to have already sent family to London to find him a home here. The Armenian is credited with a huge 30 assists this term, scoring 23 himself.
Arsene Wenger claimed that Olivier Giroud would be first-choice striker at the start of the new term, but he then mentions that a new addition could rival him. Gonzalo Higuain is being linked with us, while young Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik is also believed to be of interest.
Would the following starting XI be guaranteed to challenge for next season’s PL title if not win it?
Cech
Bellerin Williams Koscielny Tierney/Monreal
Kante Elneny/Xhaka
Mkhitaryan Ozil Sanchez
Higuain