Arsenal are not resting on their laurels after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years. A crushing penalty shoot-out defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain will only spur Mikel Arteta’s side further to make improvements in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners may have impressive squad depth but the opportunity to improve their engine room could prove alluring given the sheer workload that Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have had to shoulder this season.
In the absence of the midfield duo, the glaring hole in the middle of the pitch has led to shock defeats such as their FA Cup elimination at the hands of Southampton. Manchester City and Liverpool are both in transition with Arsenal having the opportunity to build on a settled and confident team after a hugely successful campaign.
Acquiring new blood could lead to the departure of club captain Martin Odegaard. The 27-year-old has had the worst season of his Gunners career as he’s struggled with injury and form while scoring just one league goal.
Odegaard has been criticised for his passiveness and the steep downturn in his attacking returns. A suitable successor to holding the creative keys to the Arsenal team would be Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers.
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Valued at £80m by the Europa League champions, the England international is wanted by the Gunners after scoring 14 goals and contributing 12 assists in the Villans’ triumphant campaign. The 23-year-old’s fearlessness when driving with the ball at opponents could add another dimension to Arsenal’s creativity in the final third. However, acquiring him from Unai Emery’s side will be a tall order.
Sandro Tonali has been routinely linked with a move to north London with Newcastle’s bottom-half finish meaning they won’t be playing European football next season. The Italian’s physicality and ability to impact the game on both sides of the pitch would help the Gunners maintain their dominance in midfield.
View 4 ImagesMorgan Rogers is set to star for England at the World Cup this month(Image: (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images))
Italian outlet Corriere della Sera reports that a deal for Tonali could cost Arsenal upwards of £70million. Arteta’s decision not to play Christian Norgaard for much of the campaign put a tremendous burden on Zubimendi who played 4,299 minutes this season.
The Spaniard tailed off in the last few months which could lead the Gunners to target West Ham star Mateus Fernandes to bolster their depth. CIES Football Observatory values the 21-year-old at up to £63m and he has impressed several top clubs with his performances for the Hammers despite their relegation.
View 4 ImagesSandro Tonali has been linked with a move to Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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The Portugal international’s all-action style of play and attacking creativity is matched by his ability to recover the ball and break up the opposition’s flow. Arteta insisted on his plan to build a consistent winning culture after capturing the Premier League title.
He said: “What I said to the boys is that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it.
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View 4 ImagesArsenal want midfielder Mateus Fernandes(Image: Getty Images)
“But as well [as] another kind of responsibility as well. My job now, and everybody at the club, is going to be to live those standards now and achieve more and more because I think we are capable of winning.”
Arsenal’s dream midfield for next season: Rice, Zubimendi, Rogers, Tonali, Fernandes