Current Premier League leaders Arsenal can already lay claim to being the best team in the world right now, according to the latest power rankings. Under Mikel Arteta, they look perfectly poised to end their long wait for a major honour stretching back to the lockdown era.
But if anything, this is a side that feels like it’s only just beginning its ascent and the rumour mill is already beginning to whirl ahead of what could be a defining summer in north London.
The recent defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final was enough evidence to suggest Arsenal are far from the finished product, and there are still some key areas the club will wish to invest in going forward. It means what is already a world-class lineup could soon turn into something of a super team as they look to build a lasting dynasty.
Arsenal brought in the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres last summer, but if the latest report from the Mirror is anything to go by, the next wave of arrivals could leave their rivals looking on with a whole new level of envy.
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori
william saliba gabriel magalhaes
As the saying goes, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Across all competitions this season, Arsenal’s defence has kept 21 clean sheets in 40 games, including six in the Champions League alone. Both full-backs contribute going forward, while Gabriel has been central to the team’s physical edge and threat from set-pieces, with the north London side scoring 22 goals from dead-ball situations this term (excluding penalties).
With Piero Hincapie, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly also available, there is little need for Mikel Arteta to make major changes to a back line that sits in front of one of the world’s best goalkeepers right now in David Raya.
Midfield
Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring vs Tottenham
Having signed Zubimendi less than 12 months ago - beating Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature - Arsenal were able to push Declan Rice into the all-action number eight role many at the Emirates Stadium had envisioned. That subtle but important tactical tweak has been a key reason behind the Gunners’ stronger grip on the Premier League title race this season, as the Englishman is among the top contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or.
Next season, the main shift in midfield is likely to be Eberechi Eze seeing more minutes in an advanced role. While Mikel Arteta was initially cautious in how he used the former Crystal Palace star, he has since developed into a key creative outlet. If that trajectory continues, his influence could grow even further, adding another dimension to the side’s attacking play ahead of Martin Odegaard.
Attack
Bukayo Saka, Julian Alvarez, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia PSG
The biggest changes in Arsenal’s current lineup are expected to come in attack, where Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the world - has reportedly open to a move to London this summer. The Georgian international has scored 12 goals this term, though a major stumbling block could be how highly he is valued at Paris Saint-Germain.
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Reports in Spain, meanwhile, continue to link the Gunners with Julian Alvarez, despite the success he has enjoyed at Atlético Madrid. He is believed to have a strong relationship with Diego Simeone, but the pull of the Premier League remains a factor. Alvarez impressed during his time at Man City, even while playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, and his quality was clear enough for Atlético to invest £81.5m in him - meaning any deal would likely require a similar outlay.
If both players were to arrive, Gyokeres could find himself phased out of the starting lineup. However, Arsenal still need to reduce their reliance on Bukayo Saka in attack, and adding the unpredictability of Kvaratskhelia alongside the movement and energy of Alvarez could offer a more balanced and varied frontline that would also see them stop relying on set-piece to grind out results.