It’s been as big a day as many Arsenal fans will have experienced in their time supporting the club as Arsene Wenger has announced he’s set to step down after 22 years in charge.
The French tactician will go down as an all-time great in the Premier League and it’s clear that whoever replaces him will have a big job on his hands.
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There’s been plenty of talk about Wenger’s departure and who could be the next man to come in to the Emirates Stadium hot-seat, but it’s also bound to be an important summer for the club in the transfer market.
The squad is certainly not what it could be after plenty of recent changes, with experienced names like Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott leaving in January.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were brought in and could be focal points in Arsenal’s new-look side, and here’s a look at five more signings they should be making at the very least, likely to cost around £217million…
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
AS recently linked Arsenal as being among the clubs ready to move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who has become one of the best players in the world in his position.
The Gunners will get a closer look at him when they meet in this season’s Europa League semi-finals, and they’ll surely see he’d be an ideal long-term replacement for the ageing and over-the-hill Petr Cech.
As reported by AS, Oblak has an £87million release clause but in this market that seems a reasonable fee to pay for a crucial position.
Max Meyer (Schalke)
Available on a free this summer, Schalke midfielder Max Meyer would be ideal for Arsenal’s needs in that problem area of central midfield.
The 22-year-old is one of the top young players in Europe in his position and could be ideal to replace Santi Cazorla or even Jack Wilshere if he too makes a Bosman move this summer.
Arsenal were recently linked with Meyer by football.london and it’s hard to imagine they could get better value in the market this summer.
Jean Seri (Nice)
Linked with a host of top sides of late, Jean Seri has been hugely impressive for Ligue 1 side Nice and seems an ideal fit for Arsenal.
Even if Meyer can be brought in, another midfielder of this calibre is surely needed as the likes of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny struggle to impress.
The Sun linked Arsenal with an interest in Seri, who has a £35million release clause, earlier this season, and they must beat the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United to the Ivorian’s signature.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
There has been some talk that this move could be on the cards, though the Evening Standard‘s latest report suggests Arsenal are not in for Anthony Martial.
The £60million Manchester United forward would, however, be ideal on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack as an upgrade on under-performers like Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck.
Martial has never looked quite the right fit at Old Trafford but remains a huge talent who could become one of the best in the world at the right club and under the right manager.
Harry Maguire (Leicester City)
The Daily Mirror have recently linked Harry Maguire as a £35million target for Manchester United, but Arsenal should be doing all they can to compete for the Leicester City defender’s signature.
Maguire, 25, has proven one of the signings of the season with some rock-solid displays at the back for Leicester, making him a near-certainty to start for England at this summer’s World Cup.
The former Hull City man is an obvious upgrade on the out-of-form Shkodran Mustafi and could be ideal for Arsenal’s style of play as well due to his composure and ability on the ball when it comes to playing out from the back.
Arsenal 2018/19 XI in full:
