Arsenal are getting ready to go again in their quest for a first Premier League title since 2004.
The Gunners are yet to become the kings of England in their Emirates Stadium palace, but came mighty close last season, taking the title race with Manchester City to the final day.
Alas, Mikel Arteta’s men fell short, but they aren’t too far away and you feel their only a few more additions from toppling City.
Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori’s move from Bologna should be finalised in the next few days, but who else do Arsenal need to target?
Here are three players they should consider moving for.
Last year, Arsenal broke the bank (and the British transfer record) to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United for £105m. To no one’s surprise, he slotted in perfectly at the Emirates and was a contender for the various player of the year awards.
But now, Arsenal need a solid partner to go with him. There has been much debate over how Rice should be used – as the number six or the number eight – and that could inform who they target.
90min reported on Saturday they are set to advance their interest in Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino, who can be a threat in both boxes and helped Spain to Euro 2024 glory earlier this summer.
There are several green flags that Merino boasts – he’s experienced, has already played in the Premier League, could be available for just over £20m and is hugely admired by Arteta. At this point, this deal is edging towards no-brainer territory.
When news dropped earlier this week that Emile Smith Rowe was nearing a move to Fulham, many Arsenal fans were sent into a state of mourning. They were losing one of their own, a kid from the academy, someone who played such a starring role in this team’s rise back to prominence.
Between injury issues and Arteta just seemingly not trusting him as much as he used to, Smith Rowe’s game time has dwindled in recent seasons.
Reports claim Arteta would have been happy to keep Smith Rowe, so it leads us to wondering whether the Gunners will search for a direct replacement and upgrade.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is a close stylistic fit, is available for around £60m and can play in a number of positions. If Arteta really wants to replace that profile, then his answer lies south of the River Thames.
Oh hello, a left-field choice.
Many Arsenal supporters have been crying out for their club to make a run at Alexander Isak, but what if the Gunners went for his Newcastle United teammate instead?
After Benjamin Sesko committed to at least one more year at RB Leipzig, Arsenal’s links to a striker have gone cold. They might just not fancy the market in its current state.
So while they wait for a new option to emerge in the future, why not go for a line-breaking winger in the meantime, eh?
Granted, Arsenal do have a lot of right-footed forwards who can play off the left, but none are as quick as Gordon and none can play at the same break-neck speed while remaining coordinated.
It’s just a thought. Laying some breadcrumbs. Reading some tealeaves.
