Arsenal need reinforcements across all departments and are busy evaluating their transfer targets as they aim to improve their squad for the 2023-24 season. There is a greater need to improve their squad depth as the North London side will be featuring in the Champions League next campaign.
The Gunners endured a bittersweet 2022-23 season. They were on top of the table for 248 days but fell short of the Premier League title in the end. And though the club comfortably secured Champions League football, early exits from all cup competitions meant they ultimately finished trophy-less.
One major positive for the Gunners is that Mikel Arteta’s project has really begun to take shape. At 24.7 years, Arsenal have the tied youngest squad in the Premier League (via fbref). They also have adequate depth in almost all positions across the field. However, there are still a few positions where the Gunners could use some new faces. Here are the reinforcements Arsenal should target before the 2023-24 season commences:
Defence:
With Aaron Ramsdale committing his future to the Emirates, the North London side will undoubtedly feel some security at the back. Meanwhile, American shot-stopper Matt Turner has served as an able deputy whenever called upon in the Englishman’s absence.
Up ahead, Oleksandr Zinchenko has beautifully adapted to Mikel Arteta’s system. The Ukrainian has perfectly interpreted his inverted role and acted as an extra man in the midfield to help the Gunners retain possession. Backup Keiran Tierney could also end up staying despite being linked with a move away.
Gabriel Magalhães had the most blocked shots (26) for Arsenal in the 2022-23 Premier League (@Orbinho) pic.twitter.com/915y1BJ35W
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) June 24, 2023
Gabriel and William Saliba have formed a deadly combination. The duo were in scintillating form this season, keeping opponent attackers at bay with ease. Winter window acquisition Jakub Kiwior is a good backup for the left centre-back role. On the right, Rob Holding has struggled under pressure at key moments this season.
Ben White can also play in central defence but has mostly been used as a full-back this season. This has largely been due to Takehiro Tomiyasu’s recurring injuries. Therefore, if Arsenal sign a right-back, White can be instituted in the centre whenever necessary. The Gunners have a couple of contrasting profiles to target for the right-back role:
1. Benjamin Pavard:
The Frenchman has been used as a centre-back or right-back by Bayern Munich this season. Benjamin Pavard is a solid defender and composed on the ball. He can be used as an inverted defender or as an extra centre-back in possession.
While FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea have been linked with the World Cup winner in the past, Liverpool are the team to have actually taken the first step towards a transfer. According to CaughtOffside, the Reds have already opened talks for the 27-year-old, who is keen on a move away from the Allianz Arena. ESPN reported that Pavard could cost around €40 million.
2. Ivan Fresneda:
Ivan Fresneda has been one of the best full-backs in La Liga this season. The Spanish defender has the ability to function as a classic full-back, invert into the midfield, or play as a wing-back as necessary.
According to Football London, Fresenda’s asking price has been halved as a result of Real Valladolid’s relegation this season. A fee of just €15 million could be enough to secure the 18-year-old.
Midfield:
Winter signing Jorginho might be headed on his way out as per reports. According to 90min, the Italian could be headed to Lazio, where he would reunite with his former boss Maurizio Sarri. If the former Chelsea midfielder does leave, Arsenal could target a couple of reinforcements before the 2023-24 season begins:
1. Martin Zubimendi:
Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi has turned heads with his impressive performances this season. The 24-year-old Spaniard has functioned as a lone pivot in a 4-1-3-2, or in a double pivot as required.
Arsenal expressed interest in signing the Spanish midfielder, but he dismissed the rumours saying he does not want to leave Sociedad. If the North London side are able to pull off a transfer though, it could set them back by about €60 million.
2. Alan Varela:
The Boca Juniors midfielder has been immense in the Primera Division this season. He is excellent at dropping deep to receive the ball between the lines and progress play. The 21-year-old has good pace, and an excellent understanding of the tempo of the game. Varela has already been linked with Liverpool and Barcelona on the back of his impressive performances.
The North London club could also look to sign one more interior. Martin Odegaard and Fabio Vieira are options to be used down the right side. On the left, Emile Smith Rowe is expected to play a greater role after Granit Xhaka’s departure.
The Gunners could still look to add depth to the role, considering the Englishman’s injury struggles over the last 12 months. Here are two signings Mikel Arteta’s side could make for the central midfielder role:
3. Moises Caicedo:
Moises Caicedo was heavily linked with the Gunners throughout the 2023 winter transfer window, but ultimately, the 21-yearold Ecuadorian ended up staying at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi admitted that Caicedo could be leaving the club this summer, and Arsenal are firm favourites to land his signature. The Metro report that Arsenal are preparing a massive bid of €75 million to land the Ecuador midfielder.
4. Enzo Le Fee:
One of the standout players in the Ligue 1 this season, Enzo Le Fee has 5 goals and 6 assists from 35 league games (via fbref). The Frenchman has a contract with Lorient until 2024, but has publicly stated his intention to leave.
Multiple English clubs, including Leicester City, West Ham United, and Liverpool have been linked with the 23-year-old. According to HITC, the French club have set an asking price of just €30 million for the versatile midfielder. The Frenchman can function as an attacking midfielder or in a double pivot too.
Attack:
Arsenal have arguably one of the best frontlines in the Premier League. Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli scored a combined 40 league goals this season. Winter window signing Leandro Trossard has also fit into the team well, and Eddie Nketiah has been reliable whenever called upon. Reiss Nelson has also had a few bright moments from the bench.
What a season Bukayo Saka has had in 2022/23 👌
📊 Arsenal 2022/23
◎ 48 games
◎ 15 goals
◎ 11 assists📊 England 2022/23
◎ 11 games
◎ 7 goals
◎ 3 assists pic.twitter.com/FMVbIS87so— Stats24 (@_Stats24) June 21, 2023
The only shortcoming is that Bukayo Saka has no natural backup in the team. Apart from the Englishman, Arteta has no left-footed forward at his disposal. This was apparent as Saka played 48 games all season, including all 38 in the league (via fbref). The Gunners could look to rope in another attacker who is comfortable playing on the right wing for next season:
1. Raphinha:
Arsenal were linked with Brazilian winger Raphinha in the last two transfer windows. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful first season at Barcelona, with 10 goals and 12 assists in 50 games (stats via Transfermarkt). However, the Catalan club may be forced to sell the winger to raise funds for other transfer ambitions.
According to Brazilian journalist Joaquim Piera, the Spanish giants expect a bid of around €70-80 million to sell the Brazilian international. Such a fee may be too high as the North London side need only a backup for Bukayo Saka, and not a starter.
2. Johan Bakayoko:
The PSV Eindhoven winger has burst onto the scene with 8 goals and 6 assists from 33 games (via fbref). Johan Bakayoko is an enterprising winger who loves to receive the ball and carry it into attacking zones.
Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain have already been linked with a move for the Belgian attacker, and more teams are likely to target him too. The 20-year-old forward has a contract with PSV Eindhoven until 2026.
Read More:
- Arsenal 2022-23 Season | Complete Statistics and In-Depth Analysis of Their Strategy and Style of Play
- Arsenal Showing Strong Interest in £30m Rated Bundesliga Defender, Club Keen to Bolster Defence
- Arsenal Open Preliminary Talks for €60m Rated Out-of-Favour Man City Defender, Mikel Arteta Prioritising a Summer Move
Are there any other positions where Arsenal need reinforcements for the 2023-24 season? Who would you like to see at the Emirates for next campaign?
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