#36 - What Arsenal need to do this summer to build two, trusted XI's
A look at depth charts, and identifying the areas Arsenal must strengthen ahead of a busy 2024/25 campaign
With the fixtures released, the reality has set in. Arsenal will need to play two games a week for most of the season and be able to utilise five subs effectively.
The reality is, whilst many may want superstar arrivals this summer, Arsenal will probably be thinking, how can they get to a position where there are two XI’s they can seriously trust, allowing them to rotate and not compromise performance levels.
The likes of Nelson, Vieira, Cedric, Smith Rowe and many more, simply weren’t trusted with the minutes last season. This campaign, the club cannot lean on their first XI so much. So what work needs to be done in the market to get to 22 the club can trust?
Goalkeepers and defence
I’ve removed from the below graph, players who I presume will be sold, for example, Aaron Ramsdale. Below the line I’ve put three players I would sell, the lower they are, the least likely they are to be able to contribute. Zinchenko could stick around but I think he should go.
People may not like more defensive signings, but the reality is, we are short there.
In terms of where we need additions, much depends on where Arteta sees the bulk of Tomiyasu and Timber’s time. Let’s presume the players below the line leave. That leaves us with six defenders for four roles and one goalkeeper.
As you can see, we have several players comfortable in 2 or 3 roles in the backline, so it’s going to be very interesting to see where Arsenal prioritise reinforcements, but I think in terms of sheer numbers, in an ideal world, we need three new players across these areas.
You could make a case that another top centre-half is needed, and at the same time, if Timber is our first choice left-back and Tomiyasu mainly used on that side and White is an option at centre-back, another right-back could be the priority. The same could be said for the left if the likes of Timber, Tomiyasu, and Kiwior are preferred in their other roles.
When I look at our set, I do think in a dream world, you sign a centre half, and a full back. Someone like Ferdi Kadioglu would give you a cost-effective option at both left and right back, and something different from the current set. If Tomiyasu and Timber are preferred on the left, someone like Jerome Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen could be a shrewd addition, giving Arsenal something a bit different, an overlapping option to help Saka on the right.
I then would love someone like Marc Guehi to come in. He’s a player I’ve loved for some time, but his raised profile from starting for England may have made that even more expensive.
There have been strong links to Ousmane Diomande, a young centre-back from Sporting Lisbon, who is very highly rated. Arsenal were lucky with Saliba and Gabriel’s fitness last year, but with more games than ever, it’s easy to see, looking at our depth chart above, why Arteta may want another central defender he can rely on. Arsenal could opt for a centre-back like Nottingham Forest’s Murillo or Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, both centre backs capable of playing on the left.
Ideal situation, 3 signings: Back up goalkeeper, full back and central defender.
Midfield and attack
As you can see, there’s a lot to do here. I’ve based the graph on the thesis that Arsenal will no longer go for a centre forward this summer, following reports that suggest this since Sesko decided to stay at Leipzig. So let’s start there, in centre-forward, if that is Havertz main position, that gives Arsenal three good central options with Jesus and Trossard too. My preference is for Leo to play more centrally since he lacks the pace and one-on-one ability of Martinelli and Saka.
I’m also working on the thesis that Declan Rice will mainly be our number 8, as reports have suggested as such. This leaves a hole for a new starting 6. Partey and Lokonga should leave, and Jorginho is good, but needs to be a backup and off-the-field influence.
Who could that be? Martin Zubimendi has been strongly linked, but it looks like he was to stay in Spain. Bruno Guimaraes has the well-reported £100million release clause, but that’s likely too steep. A wildcard option is PSG’s Warren Zaïre-Emery. The 18-year-old is considered the next best thing in this position, but they’d surely be reluctant to sell. A player that could be available from PSG is Manuel Ugarte. The 23-year-old has delivered mixed performances since his move to France, but he is still very highly rated.
Looking at the options in 8 and 10, Arsenal may well need another player too. Havertz and Trossard can fill in, but they are either starters or back ups in other positions.
Vieira and Smith Rowe are both there below the line, but the reality is one of them will need to leave and one will have to stay and be trusted with more minutes. If Arsenal somehow sell both of them, a new arrival is needed there too.
You’d expect youngster Ethan Nwaneri to step up and get minutes this season. Myles Lewis-Skelly is one to watch too, capable of playing a number of roles in midfield.
On the wings, is where Arsenal need major work. Nelson isn’t trusted and so should leave, and if Trossard gets more minutes centrally, Arsenal have just Martinelli and Saka as natural wingers, though you’d expect Jesus to deputise there plenty. Arsenal certainly need a new wide forward.
Followers of mine will know Nico Williams has been my first choice for that since January. He’s in demand now though. Arsenal could roll the dice of Pedro Neto’s hamstrings.
If Arsenal wanted to make a major move, they could test the waters for players like Rodrygo (following Endrick and Mbappe’s arrival in Madrid) and Kvicha from Napoli. Another player the club really like is Lille winger, Eden Zhegrova.
Ideal situation, 2 signings and Nwaneri promotion: A new number 6 and a new wide forward. (Personally an ideal situation for me would include a number 8 signing too, perhaps an 8 who can also play on a flank, and Arsenal could loan out Vieira and sell Smith Rowe).
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