Arsenal have a big summer planned. The Gunners are hoping to strengthen up their squad in a number of areas as they bid to challenge for the Premier League title, once again.
Mikel Arteta's side are on-course to finish second for the third successive season after falling 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games to go. Although there is a slim chance that the Gunners could still catch the Reds, they may have to settle for being runners-up, once again.
The north London giants finished below Manchester City in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, and want to overhaul their rivals to win their first title for 22 years. In an attempt to do that, the Gunners are expected to dip into the transfer market to strengthen their squad, with new striker at the top of their shopping list.
Arteta would love Alexander Isak and he's their first-choice transfer target. The Sweden international has been phenomenal for Newcastle United this season, scoring 23 times in 33 matches.
He netted their second goal in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool earlier this month and he's, arguably, the most in-demand striker in world football right now, with Arsenal and Liverpool leading the race for his signature.
At this stage, Isak is Arteta's "dream" forward signing. He would no doubt take Arsenal to the next level and score the goals they need to finally win the title. If the 25-year-old moved to the Emirates Stadium, then he would head up a new-look forward line assembled for next season.
Bukayo Saka would start on the right side. The England regular's absence has been felt hard during the second half of the season - as the winger continues to recover from hamstring surgery. He directly contributed to 15 goals in 16 top-flight appearances before sustaining the injury at Crystal Palace in December.
Next to Saka and Isak should be another new signing. The Gunners want an explosive left winger and Nico Williams has been identified as a top target. The Athletic Club man, who has been a standout performer in La Liga, rejected a move last year, but has a £48million release now in play.
Williams has scored 10 goals and added seven assists in 43 games for Athletic and Spain this season - after helping his nation win Euro 2024 last summer. Known for his pace, dribbling ability, flair, and goal-scoring prowess, Williams would be an astute piece of business and another 'dream' signing.
Academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri, who has been excellent during his breakthrough season in the first team, is set to deputise for Saka when needed, but can also be used on the left, or in the No.10 role. Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, meanwhile, would be capable substitute options.
Moving back to midfield and that is an area that Arsenal are desperate to strengthen up with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both out of contract this summer. It would leave the Gunners light in that position, but they are working to add bodies, with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi lined-up as a key target.
Reports in January stated that Arsenal are all-but there with a £51m agreement for Zubimendi. However, Real Madrid have entered the conversion and president Florentino Perez is keen to hijack that move and bring the midfielder to Santiago Bernabau, as they look to fill their Spain-based quota for next season.
There is confidence that Arsenal can get over the line and sign Zubimendi, however, while he would be a "dream" addition for Arteta in there. If he joined the Gunners, he would start as the deep-lying midfielder with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard ahead of him - a midfield trio that could be unstoppable.
Looking at the defence, and Arsenal don't have too many issues in that department. Boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League, Arteta's side have a strong back-line and it's hoped the Gunners can keep the same unit in place for next season, as they look to continue their rock solid foundation.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber - at this moment in time - form their strongest back-four, leaving Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori as back-up. Kieran Tierney is set to leave for free at the end of his contract, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu could also depart.
Making up Arteta's "dream" XI for next season, David Raya is the goalkeeper. Although he has stuttered of late, he's their No.1 and will remain there for the foreseeable future, even if the Gunners want to sign a strong second-choice to provide support and competition for Raya.
Arsenal 'dream' starting XI for 2025/26: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Isak, Williams.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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