How Arsene Wenger’s Emirates Stadium side could look next term.
With Arsenal having brought an end to a lengthy silverware drought last term there is a sense that the north London side are looking to build on their FA Cup triumph over Hull City with Arsene Wenger said to have as much as £100m to invest in his Gunners squad.
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It would appears areas in most need of investment include the need for a right-back replacement for Bacary Sagna, a potential upgrade on veteran Spaniard Mikel Arteta and some much needed attacking support and with that in mind here’s how the Emirates Stadium side could look in 2014/15,
GK – Wojciech Szczesny
Polish keeper continues to grow and mature into a solid custodian and last term no Premier League keeper kept more clean sheets than the 24 year old.
LB – Mathieu Debuchy
Arsenal had been pursuing Toulouse youngster Serge Aurier but a move for Newcastle United star Debuchy may be a preferable option given the French international’s top level experience. The Magpies are well know for selling their top talents and a move to join the Gunners would surely tempt the former Lille man.
CB – Per Mertesacker
Barely put a foot wrong in 2013/14 and despite concerns about his pace the towering German has the footballing brain to assist in his defensive duties and has of course formed a rock solid pairing with….
CB – Laurent Koscielny
…this guy. The Frenchman was perhaps even more accomplished than Mertesacker last season and is a player who effortlessly deals with danger. The stylish centre-back is one of the best in the business and his pairing with the BFG (Big Friendly German) effectively leaves Thomas Vermaelen out in the cold.
RB – Kieran Gibbs
Englishman does have issues with fitness and has injury concerns but has seen off the challenge of Spaniard Nacho Monreal. Speedy wide-man is becoming more and more effective in the final third and is measured and calm at the back.
CM – Morgan Schneiderlin
Tough tackler would be a good replacement for Mikel Arteta, who had a fairly average season last term, and having seen Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert follow Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino to the St Mary’s exit you have to imagine the French international would be itching to follow suit.
CM – Aaron Ramsey
Welshman was superb last term and Arsenal’s fortunes dipped dramatically during the period the midfielder was out injured. Former Cardiff City man returned from the sidelines with a bang, scoring a superb goal at Norwich City followed by a dramatic FA Cup final winner.
LW – Alexis Sanchez
Barcelona man is very much an Arsenal target and a player incoming Nou Camp boss Luis Enrique is ready to sell and a move to the Emirates Stadium could be in the offing. Chilean is a much more effective option to German Lukas Podolski, who has suffered with form and fitness during his two seasons at Arsenal.
AM – Mesut Ozil
German didn’t perhaps live up to the hype in 2013/14 but form is temporary and class is permanent so Arsenal fans can expect the former Real Madrid man to deliver in a big way this coming season. Expect an avalanche of goals and assists.
RW – Theo Walcott
Again the England man was out with injury last term and this has once again set the former Southampton man back a fair bit but when available in 2013/14 the winger did prove effective and at 25 the speedy forward has time on his side as he looks to deliver on his very obvious potential.
Forward – Karim Benzema
Real Madrid man is a £40m Arsenal target and a long term Arsene Wenger target that should be brought in to lead the Gunners attack next term. The French international enjoyed a regular firs team berth at the Bernabeu last season but if Carlo Ancelotti signs a new striker, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero repeatedly being linked with a move to the Spanish capital, then Benzema may be forced to consider a summer exit.
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