Arsenal are raring for a busy summer after enduring another trophyless season
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Arsenal will be hoping for a productive summer as they look to buck their trend of second-place finishes next term.
It was once again a case of close but not close enough for Mikel Arteta’s side in 2024/25. Finishing second fiddle to the Premier League champions for a third successive season, the Gunners endured another trophyless campaign after their Champions League push fell at the hands of eventual winners PSG.
A key reason for their failure to achieve was an attacking injury crisis that forced Mikel Merino, a defensive midfielder, to take up a role of makeshift number nine for the final months of the season.
What these fitness problems demonstrated is that despite their undeniable quality in the starting XI, Arsenal’s depth is far from good enough for a team hopeful of major titles, both domestically and on the continent.
Arsenal were plagued with an attacking injury crisis last seasonopen image in gallery
Arsenal were plagued with an attacking injury crisis last season (PA Wire)
And with numerous players already on the chopping block, Arteta has promised a “big” summer of recruitment at the Emirates.
Leading their activity in the market will be new sporting director Andrea Berta, who proved his worth as a transfer miracle-worker during his decade-plus stay at Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal will be hoping he can replicate his Atleti exploits in London as Arteta looks to finally live up to his potential and lead the club back to the Premier League pinnacle for the first time since 2006.
Here’s everything you need to know about Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.
Areas to improve
The obvious priority for Arsenal will be to sign at least one world class striker. Gabriel Jesus is sidelined with a serious injury that could keep him out until midway through next season, and while the returning Kai Havertz remains one of Arteta’s favoured players, there is a strong desire to add an out-and-out proven goalscorer to the ranks.
The Gunners will also look to add central midfielder, with Thomas Partey set to leave the club on a free when his contract expires at the end of the month. The fact that Jorginho, 33, is also on his way out means there is a real need for depth in the middle of the park.
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Inconsistency on the Gabriel Martinelli front means that a left-winger could also be targeted, bringing healthy competition for the Brazilian if not to simply replace him.
Elsewhere, cover is expected to be sought at full-back with current options touted for exits, while a backup goalkeeper for David Raya could be acquired as Neto returns to Bournemouth from his loan spell.
Potential targets
Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad
Zubimendi looks pretty nailed on to become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer. The Real Sociedad midfielder, 26, is set for a medical with the Gunners after his £51m release clause was met. It comes a year after the Spain international apparently rejected the advances of Liverpool, who pipped Arsenal to the Premier League title this term. A metronome in the middle of the park, excelling in a deep-lying playmaker role, Zubimendi fits the bill in terms of Arteta’s midfield desires this summer.
Martin Zubimendi is a major target for Arsenal in the summer transfer windowopen image in gallery
Martin Zubimendi is a major target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window (Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP
Arsenal need a striker and prolific Sporting frontman Gyokeres, 26, has seemed to be their first choice for a while. The ex-Coventry man has stamped his mark as one of the best in his position in Europe, netting 97 goals in just 102 appearances across two seasons in Lisbon. However, the Gunners face stiff competition for the Swede and have apparently already had a £60m bid for him rejected.
Viktor Gyokeres could be set for a return to English football this summeropen image in gallery
Viktor Gyokeres could be set for a return to English football this summer (Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig
If a deal for Gyokeres doesn’t come to fruition, this would be a more than acceptable alternative. RB Leipzig sharpshooter Sesko, 22, has a penchant for ripping the net off and appears to be quickly transitioning into Arsenal’s preferred option up top. Arteta has sanctioned talks with the Slovenian as they look to beat Chelsea to his signature.
Arsenal are rapidly turning their attention to RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Seskoopen image in gallery
Arsenal are rapidly turning their attention to RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko (Getty Images)
Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao
Williams has been on Arsenal’s radar since his stunning Euro 2024 campaign last summer - and despite a slightly underwhelming follow-up campaign last season, there is still no denying the 22-year-old’s talent. The Spaniard could prove the perfect reinforcement down the left wing, putting pressure on Martinelli to start playing at his dangerous best regularly, or else suffer a drop down the pecking order.
Nico Williams starred at Euro 2024 for Spainopen image in gallery
Nico Williams starred at Euro 2024 for Spain (AP)
Leroy Sane, Bayern Munich
In a summer when Arsenal are bidding farewell to a number of players for zero fee, Sane could be an example of the Gunners capitalising on free agency. The ex-Manchester City winger is on the verge of leaving Bayern at the end of his contract and as a Premier League-proven talent, his signing could be a no-brainer.
Ex-Manchester City winger Leroy Sane could end up at the Emirates on a freeopen image in gallery
Ex-Manchester City winger Leroy Sane could end up at the Emirates on a free (Getty Images)
Current squad
Not including confirmed departures or on-loan players returning to parent clubs.
Goalkeepers
22. David Raya
30. Tommy Setford
31. Karl Hein (loaned out)
Defenders
2. William Saliba
4. Ben White
6. Gabriel
12. Jurrien Timber
15. Jakub Kiwior
17. Oleksandr Zinchenko
18. Takehiro Tomiyasu
20. Nuno Tavares (loaned out)
33. Riccardo Calafiori
Midfielders
5. Thomas Partey (out of contract this summer, unconfirmed departure)
8. Martin Odegaard
21. Fabio Vieira (loaned out)
23. Albert Lokonga (loaned out)
23. Mikel Merino
27. Marquinhos (loaned out)
41. Declan Rice
Forwards
7. Bukayo Saka
9. Gabriel Jesus
11. Gabriel Martinelli
19. Leandro Trossard
24. Reiss Nelson (loaned out)
29. Kai Havertz
53. Ethan Nwaneri