Planning Ahead: 9 Players Arsenal Could Sign in the Summer to Thrust Them Into the Title Picture

Premier League clubs will be bracing themselves for another hugely inflated marketplace in the summer after a year filled with silly transfer prices.

For Arsenal, the summer transfer window is a chance for the club to address some problem areas, with the Gunners needing additions in both defence and midfield.

However, in January Mesut Ozil signed a new contract, resolving his future at the club, and both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were brought in, with Alexis Sanchez heading to Manchester United.

Here, we take a look at 10 signings that would bolster Arsenal’s squad and improve their chances of competing for silverware in 2018.

1. Julian Draxler

Arsenal manager Wenger is a known admirer of Draxler and the club has been linked with him since his Schalke days. 

Since then, Draxler has moved twice, with a stint at Wolfsburg followed by a move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. 

Although predominately deployed as a left winger, Draxler can play on both flanks and through the middle as an attacking midfielder. 

For Germany, Draxler featured in their 2014 World Squad and also went to the 2016 Euros. 

Despite his obvious talent, Draxler’s position at PSG has been under question since the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

PSG have reportedly placed a £40m price tag on the attacker, which seems good value in today’s market for a 24-year-old international with bags of potential.

2. Thomas Lemar

After being the subject of a £90m deadline day bid from the Gunners last summer, Thomas Lemar, 22, could again be in their sights this summer.

Lemar burst onto the scene alongside Kylian Mbappe during Monaco’s 2016-17 title-winning season, as the French club also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

He managed nine league goals and 10 assists last campaign and was the subject of intense transfer speculation.

His versatility is something Arsenal would value, as he can play across the front three. This would give the squad an extra attacking threat alongside Lacazette, Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang.

The highly inflated fee of £90m, lodged in the dying hours of the transfer window, would likely be reduced if Arsenal went back in for the French forward.

However, the Monaco board have stepped up their resolve in retaining their prized possession and seem unlikely to meet Arsenal halfway. 

3. Nabil Fekir

After watching his former teammate Alexandre Lacazette make the same journey from Lyon to Arsenal, Fekir could be persuaded to test himself in England.

Amassing 20 goals and six assists so far this term, the France international has once again proved his worth.

An attacking midfielder who enjoys playing as a second striker, Fekir would make a great addition to Arsène Wenger’s side. 

His partnership with Lacazette was formidable, with the pair managing 48 goals between them during the 16/17 campaign.

Their chemistry would be a huge boost to Arsenal’s front-line and could unlock Lacazette’s true potential, which the Arsenal faithful have only seen in glimpses so far this season.

It would reportedly require a bid of £60m to reunite the French pair in north London, which would see Fekir surpass Lacazette as Arsenal’s record signing.

4. Medhi Benatia

Arsenal’s defensive frailties have been exposed again this season and one player linked with a move to the Emirates is Juventus centre-half Medhi Benatia.

The Moroccan has earned a reputation as one of Serie A’s most consistent defenders, having previously played for Udinese and Roma, in addition to current club Juventus.

An imposing centre-half, Benatia could give the Arsenal side some much-needed backbone.

Pairing Benatia with Laurent Koscielny is an attractive alternative to Nacho Monreal, who has been used out of position to provide cover for Shkodran Mustafi. 

Benatia also boasts good athleticism and is able to play the ball out from the back, in line with Wenger’s playing style. 

He would make an interesting addition to Arsenal’s defence, but a substantial fee would be required to persuade Juventus to sell.

5. Jack Butland

Butland, 24, could be the long-term successor to Petr Cech, as the former Chelsea keeper enters the twilight of his glittering Premier League career. 

The Stoke City shot-stopper has been a standout performer for the Potters since his move from Birmingham City in 2013. 

He has since made six appearances for England amid strong competition from Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Jordan Pickford.

After a broken finger ruled him out of the latest international fixtures, Butland will be vying for the number one spot in England’s 2018 World Cup squad. 

He has long been touted as a successor to Hart and at just 24, he has the potential to become a great goalkeeper.

The prospect of Petr Cech mentoring a young goalkeeper could prove crucial in persuading Butland to move to the Emirates.

6. Hirving Lozano

A lesser known name linked Arsenal is Mexico and PSV Eindhoven winger Hirving Lozano.

After joining the Dutch giants from his native Pachuca in June, the Mexican wasted no time settling in, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances to fire PSV to the top of the Eredivisie. 

The young starlet has pace and is best suited to playing on the left as an inverted winger, where he can cut in onto his preferred right foot. 

His eye for goal has won many admirers on the international stage and he is considered to be one of Mexico’s brightest young talents. 

Despite being just 22, he has represented his country on 24 occasions, netting seven times. 

If reports are to be believed, PSV have slapped a hefty £42m price tag on their talisman, which could deter Wenger from taking a risk on a player unproven in Europe’s major leagues.

7. Wilfried Zaha

Transfer speculation about a move for Ivory Coast international Zaha has been met with a mixed reception from Arsenal fans. 

Although he is not the superstar signing, he would make a great addition to their attack. 

Zaha has carried Crystal Palace this season and his performances have won rave reviews from fans and pundits alike. 

His ability to beat a man, draw fouls and get crosses into the box has been critical to the revival of Palace’s fortunes since the arrival of Roy Hodgson.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged his former club to consider a move for the talented winger, after claiming he has what it takes to succeed in north London. 

High praise indeed from a man who himself traded Crystal Palace for Arsenal in 1991, where he went on to become a legend.

8. Steven N’Zonzi

If Arsène Wenger is in the market for a robust midfielder, he need look no further than Sevilla enforcer Steven N’Zonzi.

Arsenal have been lacking strength in central midfield since Patrick Viera departed the club over a decade ago. 

Wenger’s preference for agile, technically gifted midfielders has often left the physical side of the game neglected. 

N’Zonzi is the kind of no-nonsense central midfielder who could provide much-needed steel to the spine of Arsenal’s team.

Having already performed in the Premier League with Blackburn and Stoke, the Sevilla player is no stranger to English football and would be well suited to making a return to the top flight. 

N’Zonzi boasts good athleticism, is composed in possession, and would represent an improvement on Arsenal’s current crop of defensive midfielders.

9. David Luiz

Another man out of favour with his club, and a shock transfer target for Arsenal, is flamboyant Brazilian defender David Luiz.

After his return to Chelsea, Luiz was a fixture in the side that won the Premier League title during Antonio Conte’s first season in charge. However, the relationship between the two has soured and Luiz has cut an isolated figure in recent months. 

Luiz’s defensive abilities have sometimes been questioned, but his performances last season confounded his critics. 

The 3-4-3 system preferred by Conte was critical to getting the best out of Luiz, who was afforded more freedom.

The same system has been used regularly by Arsène Wenger since the back end of last season, which could make David Luiz a perfect fit for the Gunners. 

Some reports have claimed Arsenal are preparing a £30m bid for the Brazilian, but it remains to be seen whether Chelsea would be willing to sell.

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