Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi could spearhead Arsenal's revival with transfers to join Mikel Arteta's squad this summer.
The Gunners were being tipped for Premier League glory at the expense of Manchester City prior to the 2024/25 season though what has transpired could not be much more disappointing.
Both champions and runners-up of the past two seasons have suffered a drop-off induced by injury and fitness problems, albeit to a lesser extent to the runners-up Arsenal who still are in with a mathematical chance of success in the league.
But standing in their way are Liverpool, who have swooped in to steal a 12-point advantage looking forward to the final nine rounds of the season. Almost faultless so far, it would appear an impossible task for the Gunners to catch Arne Slot's team.
Therefore rumours have already been swirling ahead of next season, specifically around how Arsenal can initiate fixes to the squad that will help rediscover their attacking verve and competitive edge.
With both Jorginho and Thomas Partey out of contract this summer, the two veterans will most certainly need replacing. Thus, Guimaraes and Zubimendi have found themselves at the centre of suggestions where the money could be spent.
Football.london takes a look at the latest transfer headlines surrounding the duo, providing summary analysis alongside.
Bruno uncertainty
For all that has been said about interest in Newcastle United's box-to-box machine, Fabrizio Romano has warned his YouTube subscribers that it is not a certainty he will be an Arsenal player next season.
According to his latest report the club's appointment of their next sporting director could have an impact on the strategy around signings.
"We are having many reports on Bruno Guimaraes, reports about Arsenal and other clubs interested in Bruno Guimaraes.
"What I am able to tell you today is that despite all of the stories involving Arsenal, I’m not aware of any concrete negotiation or concrete contact between Arsenal or Bruno Guimaraes," he explained.
"He was on the list when the director was Edu Gaspar, they’re Brazilians, so the connection is there. Now the new director is Andrea Berta, and at the moment I’m not aware of any direct contact for Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal."
football.london says: There is still plenty of time between now and the next transfer window opening in June for the Gunners to get things in order and initiate first contact with their top targets so seriously this shouldn't be taken as a problem. They're involved in a title race, Newcastle are involved in a top-four battle, the player himself won't want to distract from that with transfer talk behind the scenes in case they risk getting out in the open, so it will be best to be patient around this one.
Zubimendi worry
According to Diario AS, Zubimendi is not only a big target for Arteta and Co. but also for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old has been part of transfer stories over the years, linked with and rejecting the Gunners, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Liverpool. Most recently the Gunners have been in the fold again to meet his £51.3m release clause.
But so too could Real Madrid, who were described as having eyes on Spain's Nations League meeting with Netherlands last Thursday with plans to do the same for the second leg on Sunday.
The midfielder and Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen are supposedly the two priority summer targets they are watching, even if this specific deal could be difficult due to Arsenal's advanced negotiations.
football.london says: Now when a Premier League club and Real Madrid enter a transfer battle, it often doesn't end well for the Englsh side. Real's pulling power, especially for a Spanish player, would be a daunting one to watch unfold. But realistically Arsenal can only do what they can and hope that will be enough. If a player chooses another club that is their loss, but an alternative must be linked up - no more relaxation if their top target goes amiss, otherwise the injuries and stresses on the squad will not go away.