Arsenal have been linked with AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.Arsenal have been linked with AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
Arsenal have been linked with AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo. | Getty Images
It’s set to be a busy summer of transfer activity at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal this summer.
The imminent return of the Premier League comes with somewhat of an underwhelming feeling for Arsenal with the title race looking to be well and truly gone for the Gunners.
Liverpool are now 12 points clear at the summit of the table with Mikel Arteta’s side fighting to keep their place in the top two with a hungry Nottingham Forest hot on their heels. The upcoming Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid is more cause for excitement as the last realistic piece of silverware Arsenal could win this term.
A summer of investment under incoming technical director Andrea Berta is expected at LondonWorld looks at what the Arsenal starting XI could look like next season if current rumours come true.
Arsenal sign ‘speedy’ La Liga full-back
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jesus Areso
The centre of transfer interest for Andrea Berta will be further up the pitch this summer. The Arsenal defence remains impressive with William Saliba and Gabriel having one of the most impressive partnerships in the league, while the rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly has been nothing short of head-turning.
Spanish outlet Fichajes has this week claimed that the Gunners are ‘suitors’ of Osasuna right-back Jesús Areso. It is claimed that Mikel Arteta ‘believes that his speed and endurance would fit perfectly into his team's style of play’.
Mikel Arteta lands long term midfield target
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi
The heart of the Arsenal midfield will stay the same with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard still two of the best central midfielders in the Premier League. Arteta is set to add a fresh face to his engine room with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both out of contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer and unlikely to be offered new deals.
Widespread reports have claimed that the new arrival will be Real Sociedad man Martin Zubimendi. That rumour has been circling for months and Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth this week said: “I’d say that the Zubimendi one is almost definitely going to happen to Arsenal. I just wonder when you look back now to the summer transfer window, Liverpool were all set to sign Martin Zubimendi, and then there was a late change of heart. It’s not been confirmed to anyone, but seeing now, a year later, he’s very, very likely to join Arsenal, was there a late intervention by Arsenal in the summer?”
Andrea Berta works magic to snap up £70m AFC Bournemouth man
Wingers: Bukayo Saka, Antoine Semenyo
Arsenal starboy Bukayo Saka is finally nearing a return from injury and that’s huge news for Arteta. The England international has been sorely missed with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli struggling to carry the load on the flanks.
Both those players have been linked with a potential summer exit. AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who is a Gunners fan, could be the man to come in with TBR Football reporting Arsenal interest and a £70 million price tag in recent days.
Striker: Viktor Gyokeres
Recruiting a goalscorer is priority number one for Berta and Arsenal this summer. The Gunners have struggled for firepower without the injured Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, but there were questions over the side’s attacking options even before those blows.
Several talismen have been linked with the club and the latest appears to be Sporting CP striker Gyokeres, who has bagged 40 goals already this season. Portuguese news outlet Correio da Manha have claimed that Arsenal are preparing for ‘formal talks’ with the former Coventry City man.
In other news, David Ornstein says Arsenal are still trying to sign La Liga's best-rated performer.