Arsenal are expected to add a right winger to their ranks before the 2023-24 season commences. The North London side only have youngster Bukayo Saka as a natural attacker on the right flank and are in desperate need of adding depth to the position before the new campaign commences.

The Gunners are linked with several targets across all positions as they aim to make multiple new signings to improve their squad for next season. The Gunners are in the Champions League for the first time since 2017 and will look to challenge for the Premier League and cup competitions too.

This directly necessitates a greater squad depth for manager Mikel Arteta to choose from. Arsenal will need to have multiple players who can fill each role so that the squad can remain fresh and firing for the business end of the season.

One such signing is required for the right-wing position. In the 2022-23 season, Bukayo Saka was Arteta’s only natural right winger. The Englishman played all 38 league games, 37 of them as a starter. He also played 2 FA Cup games and 8 in the Europa League.

A new signing would allow the Spanish manager the luxury of rotating more effectively in cup competitions, or some smaller league games. Here are three players Arsenal could target in the transfer window for the right winger role ahead of the 2023-24 season:

Moussa Diaby

Since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, Moussa Diaby has been one of Bayer Leverkusen’s best players. He has an impressive tally of 49 goals and 48 assists from 172 games across 4 seasons as a right winger (stats via Transfermarkt).

Primarily left-footed, the French winger can play on both flanks and centrally too. According to Who Scored, he has played 27 games from the right, 7 down the left, 10 as a play-maker, and 4 as a striker. He is as versatile as an attacker can be, comfortable playing across the frontline.

The North London club have been linked with the 24-year-old forward since last summer and Mikel Arteta has marked Diaby as one of his top targets this summer. However, according to Florian Plettenberg, Leverkusen will demand €70-€80 million to allow him to leave.

The Gunners are likely to face some competition to land the Frenchman. PSG are reportedly interested in re-signing their former winger to replace Lionel Messi. 90min reports that Manchester United are eyeing Diaby as a replacement for Jadon Sancho while Newcastle United have also been linked with with him.

The 24-year-old is a reliable finisher, with 33 goals from an xG of 31.0 in the last 5 seasons. He is also an excellent creative outlet, making 1.81 passes, and 0.43 crosses into the box every 90 minutes. On the ball, the Frenchman is a confident player. He attempts over 3 dribbles every 90 minutes and completes 1.79 carries into the box (via fbref).

Diaby would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and provide Arteta with more ammunition in attack. However, the hefty price tag is a deterrent. He will not be a guaranteed starter considering the impressive form of Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Sporting Director Edu will definitely think twice before spending over €70 million on a backup.

Ferran Torres

Ferran Torres joined FC Barcelona from Manchester City midway through the 2021-22 season for a fee of €55 million. He made an impressive start with 7 goals and 6 assists from 26 games (stats via Transfermarkt). However, Barcelona roped in Raphinha during the 2022 summer window and also switched formations.

The Spaniard played 45 games, but only 18 of those came as a starter. He replicated his exact goal tally from the previous season and also notched up three assists. However, as reported by Sport, the Catalans have now placed Ferran Torres on their “must-sell” list, along with Ansu Fati and Franck Kessie.

Meanwhile, according to Fichajes (via The Hard Tackle), Newcastle United are also in the running to sign the Spanish winger. The Magpies are willing to make a bid in the range of €40 million. According to Mundo Deportivo, this matches the exact price Barcelona are holding out for.

Ferran Torres has a different profile from most young wingers. The 23-year-old is not a great dribbler, and rarely takes on and beats his man. Instead, he relies on excellent positioning and movement to get into dangerous positions. The winger is proactive in and around the penalty area, averaging 5.71 touches in the box every 90 minutes (via fbref).

It is this exact skill set that makes the Spaniard a versatile attacker. He can also work as an inside winger from the left, or as a centre-forward. The 23-year-old does not get involved in the build-up very often, but is adept at quick combination plays to create dangerous situations in attack.

Ferran Torres would be a smart acquisition for Arsenal for the right winger role before the 2023-24 season commences. The Spaniard is currently slightly undervalued due to his low confidence and mediocre form. However, he possesses the quality to be a dangerous attacker in the right system. This was clearly visible from his performances under Luis Enrique for the National Team.

Look For Options Within the Club

Mikel Arteta currently has a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have joined hands with Saka to form the first-choice attack. Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah have been ready to step up from the bench whenever required.

Reiss Nelson has also enjoyed a few bright moments throughout the 2022-23 season. The Englishman recently extended his contract until 2028. The 23-year-old is primarily right-footed and likes to come in from the left. He is a dangerous dribbler and constantly tries to get into attacking positions. This is a skill set that can easily be retained even if he is deployed on the right-wing.

Another option for Arsenal could be to use Gabriel Jesus on the flank. The former Manchester City man thrives in the wide role and has even said it suits him better than a central role in the past. It would be interesting to see Arteta experiment with the Brazilian in a wider role for a few games in pre-season. Trossard or Nketiah can be used to compensate in the centre.

Read More:

• Arsenal Leading Race to Sign €25m Rated Young French Forward, Mikel Arteta Keen to Land Backup for Gabriel Jesus
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• Deal Done: Arsenal Signs €55m Rated Champions League Winning Forward as First Signing of the Summer Window

Furthermore, this would allow the North London club the funds to pursue other signings. The Gunners have already spent heavily in this summer window, signing Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Declan Rice from West Ham with Jurrien Timber also set to join them from Ajax.

Which right winger should Arsenal sign to bolster their frontline ahead of the 2023-24 season? Let us know in the comments.

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