How Arsenal could line up next season as Mikel Arteta’s four-man transfer list emerges
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, is aiming to strengthen his team with four new signings during the upcoming summer transfer window.
He has already revolutionized the Gunners squad during his three-and-a-half years as the team’s coach, with seven of the current starters having been brought in by him.
Despite being two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand, there are concerns about the squad’s depth and the impact that injuries or absences could have in comparison to their rivals during the final months of the season.
Mikel Arteta has a preference for working with a small squad, but he still wants to strengthen his team by adding four new players who can compete for starting positions and provide more options for rotation in cup competitions for the upcoming season.
He is particularly interested in midfielders, as the current options – Jorginho, Thomas Partey, and Granit Xhaka – are all at a stage in their careers where they need more rest and rotation.
According to The Times, Arsenal is considering signing not one, but two central midfielders. They will revisit their interest in Moises Caicedo, who they unsuccessfully tried to sign in the summer, and make a bid for West Ham’s captain Declan Rice, who is set to become a free agent the following year.
If Arsenal were to sign both Rice and Caicedo for their midfield, Mikel Arteta would have plenty of options in that area. However, Jorginho, Partey, and Xhaka would still be key players in the squad and capable of handling a demanding season that could involve more than 60 matches.
Similarly, Arsenal’s interest in Barcelona winger Raphinha would add more depth to their attacking options. They had tried to sign him last summer from Leeds, but he ultimately chose to join Barcelona instead. However, Raphinha has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Barcelona, as he faces competition from other players like Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres for the right-wing position.
It seems that Raphinha could be a potential transfer target for Arsenal, who may look to use him on the opposite flank to Bukayo Saka. Martin Odegaard is suggested to play in a deeper role, while Gabriel Jesus would lead the line with Eddie Nketiah offering rotation options.
As for Arsenal’s defense, it is expected to remain stable with Aaron Ramsdale in goal and a backline of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The club is reportedly seeking a backup left-back to compete with Zinchenko, while Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares may leave in the summer.
Possible Arsenal XI for 2023/24 season: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Caicedo; Saka, Jesus, Raphinha
How Arsenal could line up next season as Mikel Arteta’s four-man transfer list emerges