Mikel Arteta will have to make some big decisions when naming his Arsenal matchday squad next season.
The Gunners are busy looking ahead to the new campaign as they look to end their wait for a major trophy. Arsenal will have ambitions of winning either the Premier League or Champions League next term, and part of those preparations will involve building a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
That will involve Arsenal looking to the transfer market for new signings, with several already in the works. The Gunners are looking to complete a permanent deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has also been linked with Real Madrid in recent weeks.
Arsenal are also set to complete a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who will serve as David Raya’s understudy following the end of Neto’s loan spell from Bournemouth.
The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and the signing of Riccardo Calafiori last season have now led to speculation around Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future in north London.
Kieran Tierney has already left the club to join Celtic, while Arteta will have decisions to make to try and get Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the matchday squad when every other defender is fit and available.
In midfield, the signing of Zubimendi will see Arsenal almost immediately replace Jorginho, who has left to complete a permanent move to Flamengo in Brazil. Arsenal are also in talks to extend Thomas Partey’s contract, which expires at the end of the month.
Arsenal will also hope to sign a new striker this summer to strengthen their forward options. Benjamin Sesko is a target for the Gunners and could leave RB Leipzig to move to the Emirates if a deal can be agreed.
Raheem Sterling will return to Chelsea this summer once his loan deal expires.
Here, football.london takes a look at what Arsenal’s strongest 20-player matchday squad could be for next season after they complete their summer transfer business.
Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga
Defenders: Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori
Midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Benjamin Sesko, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus
