With the international break at a close and football returning this weekend, the end of season push is here. With little time between games and no scouts, Arsenal have hopefully spent the break consolidating their summer transfer plans. Here is an overview of the squad and what I’d do:
Goalkeeper
Leno has had an up and down season so far. His save percentage has dropped from 77.6% last season to 68.8%, and he has been involved in several build up errors over recent weeks. However, he is still capable of making world class saves and has saved us (literally) in a number of games. The drop off could be explained by the mental fatigue of playing in 38 of Arsenal’s 44 games this season and the level of concentration required to play out from the back in Arteta’s system.
It is possible that Arteta may look to move on from Leno in favour of a more technically able keeper on the ball but given the other business Arsenal should be looking at this summer, Leno should remain as the number 1 next season.
With Mat Ryan’s loan coming to an end this summer, Arsenal should be looking for a backup keeper for Leno in order to help rest the German shot stopper next season and prevent mental fatigue. Ryan will have 1 year left on his deal when he returns to Brighton and the Seagulls have moved on, playing Robert Sánchez as their main keeper. This seems like a cheap and easy deal for Arsenal to get done.
What I’d do: Keep Leno, Sign Ryan or a similar backup
Right Back
The right back position has become an interesting position over the past month with Bellerín, Cédric and Chambers all putting in good performances in that role. Bellerín will inevitably have the annual “will he leave” narrative placed upon him, but this summer could actually be the year we see him go.
Taking 3 right backs into next season would be an inefficient use of our resources, especially if there is a need to raise funds for other transfers. Bellerín and Chambers would bring in the most money so a decision will need to be made between those two players – unless Chambers is moved to centre back next season.
What I’d do: Split the remaining games between the 3 and let them audition for next season
Centre Back
Arsenal appear to have a simple situation at centre back this summer. Release Luiz when his contract expires and replace him with Saliba. This would see Saliba, Holding, Gabriel and Marí as the main centre backs next season.
However, there has been talk over the past month or two that David Luiz will be offered an extension on his deal. Arteta clearly likes Luiz’s experience and ball playing ability but the Brazilian will be 34 at the start of next season and continues to be central to the mistakes Arsenal make. With the clear out from January and this summer, now seems the perfect time to move on from Luiz.
What I’d do: Bring Saliba into the first team and release Luiz
Left Back
One of Arsenal’s main priorities this summer should be extending Tierney’s deal. He is a brilliant left back and hopefully a future captain of the club so ensuring he remains at the club is essential.
Due to Tierney’s importance and the need to rest and protect him, Arsenal need to sign a backup who can approximate what Tierney does – a left footer who can command the left flank yet remain solid defensively. Cédric has provided good cover but with him fighting for the right back spot, Arsenal will need to dip into the market.
Sead Kolasinac will be returning from loan with 1 year left on his deal this summer. He has been a good servant to the club but a sale, loan or mutual termination of his contract makes the most sense to allow him to move on.
What I’d do: Sign a backup left back, Move on Kolasinac
Defensive Midfield
Arsenal will get a free upgrade at defensive midfield next season with Thomas Partey getting a summer to recover from his injuries and acclimatise to the team. Xhaka has had his most consistent season in an Arsenal shirt and played an important role in the side, which Arteta values highly. However, as with Luiz, he is still involved with a lot of Arsenal’s errors and his lack of mobility is an issue in the Premier League. A mobile partner for Partey could prove to be a huge boost to the team.
With Ceballos’ loan ending this summer, Arsenal should have no issue with him returning to Real Madrid. Elneny is a perfectly fine 4th option but now seems a good time for him to move on and for Arsenal to replace him with a more suitable player.
Both Torreira and Guendouzi will return from their loans this summer and it is hard to see either staying at Arsenal. Torreira does not fit Arteta’s style of play and spending most of his loan on the bench for Atletico Madrid has not helped his cause. Guendouzi has continued causing trouble during his spell in Germany and that alone will be enough for Arteta to want to move him on.
Maitland-Niles is another who will return from loan this summer and it seems his time at Arsenal is up. He is adamant he wants to be a midfielder but Arsenal are adamant he is a fullback so it will be best for both parties for Maitland-Niles to move on.
What I’d do: Sign a Xhaka upgrade, Sign a backup, Sell Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi, Maitland-Niles
Attacking Midfield
Ødegaard has been fantastic since joining Arsenal, impressing with his technical quality and also his work rate and willingness to press. Ødegaard looks exactly what Arteta wants from a number 10 so keeping him next season is important. The issue is Real Madrid. Given how good Ødegaard has been, Madrid will likely command a large fee or even want to keep him themselves. If a reasonable deal can be done, Arsenal have to do it.
Should Arsenal not get Ødegaard, they should look for a similar number 10 in the market. The transformation of the team since he and Smith Rowe have come in has been enormous and that style of play is the blueprint for Arsenal next season.
With Joe Willock coming back from loan having impressed at Newcastle, he could provide some good depth to the midfield positions.
What I’d do: Sign Ødegaard or a similar number 10
Winger
Saka and Smith Rowe should be Arsenal’s starting wingers next season. Both have been excellent this year and their intelligence, work rate and technical ability have been key to Arsenal’s improvement.
Willian will remain at the club due to only joining last summer and his big wages so he will provide backup.
Pépé is the other wide option in the team this season and has improved over the past couple of months. Despite the improvement, it is hard to look past the contrast between Pépé’s style of play and Arteta’s, as well as the £72 million that Arsenal paid for him. It would not be a surprise if Arsenal listened to offers for Pépé this summer.
What I’d do: Sell Pépé if a £35 million offer came in and sign a younger, more suitable replacement
Striker
Striker is the most interesting conundrum Arsenal face this summer.
Aubameyang has been largely ineffective this season but has still got 9 goals in 24 appearances and produced his best displays as a central striker with Saka, Ødegaard and Smith Rowe behind him. With the success of that system, it makes the most sense to continue with that next season.
Lacazette has been Arsenal’s most prolific striker this season with 11 goals in 25 games but will be 30 with 1 year left on his deal this summer. The Frenchman has been excellent of late, but it is hard to forget his struggles during the first half of the campaign. Arteta has said they will discuss Lacazette’s contract in the summer and the result of that could determine a lot for Arsenal’s transfer policy; it is difficult to justify giving a 30 year old a large contract.
Should Lacazette leave, Arsenal then have another difficult decision to make – do they sign a replacement? With Martinelli struggling for minutes since his return from injury, the departure of Lacazette could provide Martinelli with a larger role as the backup striker. It is unclear what Arteta’s ideal centre forward would be which makes this situation so unpredictable.
Nketiah has played 314 minutes in the Premier League this season and has not looked up to scratch as an Arsenal striker. Given he is a young English striker with 12 goals for Arsenal, the Gunners should be able to get some money for him this summer.
What I’d do: Sell Lacazette and Nketiah, Sign a 2nd/3rd choice striker to fight with Martinelli
Arsenal are back in action against Liverpool at the Emirates at 8:00pm on Saturday. Both teams are in the midst of underwhelming seasons and have been inconsistent for much of the campaign. Liverpool travel to Real Madrid for the quarter finals of the Champions League on Tuesday whilst Arsenal will host Slavia Prague in the quarter finals of the Europa League on Thursday. Both teams will likely have an eye on their midweek European games, making an already unpredictable game even more unpredictable.
Prediction: Arsenal 1 – 1 Liverpool
Adam Perry – 02/04/2021