With the season over, it is time to get into the transfer space and a world of speculation and dreams ahead of the next three months. Whether it be for the mythical striker that we are all desperate for the club to land or just to get business done as early as possible, everyone has their desires for this bigger-than-ever transfer window.
Mikel Arteta has certainly been hammering home the point recently, too. In the pre-match press conference ahead of the final match of the season, he described the club as needing goals, creativity, and numbers.
Their win at Southampton confirmed another second-place finish for what is now a third successive season for the Gunners. The Arsenal boss feels the side are now just a small percentage away from achieving their goals of major silverware, but it is clear more investment is needed to get there.
With that in mind, football.london's chief Arsenal writer, Tom Canton, gives his view on what a dream summer window would look like for him and, naturally, therefore, what the starting eleven for next season would consist of.
For starters, I want to see a near-flawless window from Arsenal this summer, which consists of at least five new signings across multiple areas. A striker, a winger, a midfielder, a defender and a back-up keeper; and in a dream scenario, which this is, I would love another creative attacking midfielder brought into the fold too.
Starting from back to front, in goal, the number two has for a long time appeared to be Joan Garcia of Espanyol. The club were keen to add the Spaniard in the summer but were unwilling to pay the release clause despite the player's readiness to move.
Fast-forward a year, and the club could be set to miss out on Garcia. A second-string spot at a side like Arsenal appears below his standing, and many clubs at the elite level could be willing to offer much more. That means bringing in another option, and for me, it should certainly be a money-saver so that funds can be directed elsewhere first.
One option would be to use current Gunners keeper Karl Hein, who spent the season on loan with Real Valladolid in Spain and is the current Estonian No.1 keeper. It could be mindful to bring him back, but if not, an experienced stopper with decent distribution abilities akin to that of Stefan Ortega at Manchester City would be ideal.
With Kieran Tierney leaving and the futures of Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko uncertain, there are needs in the back line, too. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a joyful addition this season and has made the left-back role his own.
But the fitness issues suffered by Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu mean a signing is a must. I would certainly be holding onto Kiwior, too, who has been exceptional in Gabriel's place, so much so that he was serenaded for the first time with his own chant in the final match of the campaign as a show of appreciation for his efforts.
I would like to see a versatile defender who can operate similarly to Tomiyasu and across the back line. These are not easy to find at all, however, and while the Gunners have done well to add so much versatility, particularly showcased by Timber, it does not usually come cheap.
Jorrel Hato remains a player who has impressed greatly with Ajax, but he is more of a left-sided player - though he could perhaps deputise if needed. It is also worth noting there are high hopes for Marcell Washington, who is due to sign following a successful trial after leaving Chelsea.
Into midfield, and this is an easy one considering the deal for Martin Zubimendi is already at an advanced stage and the Spaniard is expected to arrive. The Real Sociedad talisman is without a doubt a dream option regardless of the imminence of his arrival, and was the best No.6 on the market moving this summer, hence the widespread interest; but the Gunners have won and get one over Liverpool and Real Madrid in that regard.
An attacking midfielder would be the luxury addition, if possible, and would take an eight or nine out of ten window to maximum points with all the other signings. For me, Eberechi Eze is that player, and after his brilliant campaign for Crystal Palace, what better time to add him?
This is, however, the type of deal that might require some money coming in from the likes of Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga, etc, being sold in the market. Should Andrea Berta secure could deals for those leaving the club this summer permanently, it could enable a greater spend and Eze would be who I would spend it on.
I'm into the exciting part and the forward line. A wide player is a must, and I would love to see the club jump on the news that Rodrygo from Real Madrid could be available.
Having played so much on the right for Los Blancos, it is easy to mistake this for his best position - but in fact it is the left wing. When playing there this season, he has returned six goals and six assists in 12 matches – a goal contribution per match for the Brazilian.
There is an Alexis Sanchez-type feel to this potential move: a signing from one of Spain's elite clubs when business by those clubs has opened up the chance to land one of Europe's top players.
The crux of the issue is up top. Although this is a dream scenario in which I could choose anyone and would love to say Alexander Isak, realistically, I know this is not going to happen.
That narrows things down between the two other leading candidates: Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. Although I would like to say I have become a fan of Hugo Ekitike, having dedicated more time to watching the Frenchman’s impressive campaign for Frankfurt.
However, despite being split on the aforementioned pair, my mind is leaning toward Sesko. I cannot seem to get past the doubts that surround Gyokeres: the league, his age, the style, and the types of goals he predominantly scores, which are far different from the chances mainly created by Arsenal.
Sesko has the aerial threat that Arteta likes in an Arsenal centre-forward, whereas, despite certainly having a physical presence, the Swede's aerial ability pales in comparison. Then there is the record players making the switch from Portugal to the Premier League have, and the likes of Darwin Nunez have simply failed to get anywhere near their tallies from the previous seasons.
Canton's dream Arsenal XI for 2025/26: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Sesko, Rodrygo.
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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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