A collective sigh of relief was let out across north London when the final whistle blew at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night, followed instantly by raucous celebrations in N5 and beyond. Arsenal are the deserved Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.
Naysayers will point at corner tactics and VAR but this has been a long time coming for a team that had only narrowly missed out for three consecutive seasons. The credit must go to the players for leaving everything on the pitch, the fans for their patience and, most of all, Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal were in such disarray when the Spaniard took over as head coach six-and-a-half years ago that few could imagine such a day where they could break their Premier League drought and have a Champions League final still to look forward to.
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But the same principles that allowed Arteta to get to this stage will not allow him to rest on his laurels when all is said and done in Budapest later this month. He will almost immediately begin plotting and scheming for the summer and next season, if he hasn’t started already.
Now, Mirror Football predicts how the Gunners boss will build on this success and ensure his side dominates the Premier League for years to come.
It’s only right to sign the player who gifted Arsenal the title. Sentimental reasons aside, the 19-year-old Frenchman’s goal for Bournemouth against Manchester City showed exactly why so many teams are lining up to secure his signature, drifting into space before demonstrating incredible composure and technique with his finish.
Bournemouth recently stated they would not entertain offers of £85million for their talisman, who has scored 13 goals in his debut season in England. But even around £90m for Kroupi – a record sum by Arsenal for a forward – would be well worth it if the north Londoners manage to negotiate a fee with the Cherries.
View 4 ImagesEli Junior Kroupi scored the goal to hand Arsenal the title(Image: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
He would add versatility along the front line, capable of playing as an inside forward from the left like Leandro Trossard or as a lone striker, as well as a much-needed goal threat. Kroupi also has the added bonus of being adored in north London before even putting on an Arsenal shirt.
Quality over quantity should be the main objective for Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. Last year, the Gunners spent a record sum of over £250m on eight players.
Their needs have changed now to requiring more elite players rather than raising the floor of the entire squad. One such player that happens to be available on the market is Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
Still just 23 years old, the Frenchman is world-class on counter-attacks and has more tools in his attacking arsenal than Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. Barcola has grown frustrated at his lack of starts under Luis Enrique this term, given the Spaniard’s preference for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.
View 4 ImagesBradley Barcola of PSG costs around £85m(Image: Getty Images)
Yet, he is needed at Arsenal, as seen by his heroics during last year’s treble-winning season, where he racked up a whopping 44 goal contributions in 64 appearances. Barcola is expected to cost a similar amount to Kroupi of just over £85m.
It is understood that Arsenal have to sell players to spend heavily again this summer. Both Berta and predecessor Edu Gaspar have been underwhelming in past transfer windows when it comes to selling players for respectable sums.
It’s something the north Londoners still fall well behind their rivals in and an underrated part of transfer planning. Fortunately, there is no shortage of players set for the exit door this summer.
Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard, Fabio Vieira, Ethan Nwaneri, Martinelli and Trossard could all be sold to make way for reinforcements. It is up to Berta to find suitors and negotiate deals that will help balance the books
View 4 ImagesSandro Tonali is an elite midfielder(Image: Getty Images)
If, after signing Kroupi and Barcola, Arsenal still have money left in the account, Sandro Tonali of Newcastle would be a truly special acquisition. Until now, Arteta has been fortunate that Declan Rice has been ever-present. But he may not be injury-proof forever.
When that time comes, Arsenal need to be prepared. Tonali’s engine and duel-winning ability would make him both a seamless replacement for Rice and a potential midfield partner.
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The Italian, 26, was heavily linked with a late move to Arsenal in January. His agent appears to be keen for him to move on too, especially with Newcastle set to miss out on European football.
Tonali is expected to cost upwards of £80m. Pulling off this signing, and the other two, will certainly not be easy. But such ambition is what separates title-winning teams from Premier League dynasties.