How Arsenal will line up with Arteta’s two transfer priorities

Robin Bairner

19 Apr 2024 10:00 BST
4 min read

Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League to Bayern Munich on Wednesday will prompt summer changes in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

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The Gunners’ squad has proven to be overly stretched this season. There has been an overreliance on certain key players and a lack of depth to allow rotation.

Consequently, with the end of the campaign close, the Arsenal squad looks jaded and tired.

Arteta is set to beef up his attack in the summer and is examining numerous options. A winger and an attacker will arrive at the Emirates Stadium, with the board set to invest heavily in this area of the team to make them yet more competitive.

FootballTransfers has revealed Viktor Gyokeres is the Emirates’ side leading target in the No.9 role. He is the player at the top of their shortlist, and with the Sweden international prioritising a move to Arsenal, a deal only hinges on the Premier League giants reaching an agreement with Sporting CP.

Although this is a transfer that looks possible, other options are being explored.

With Newcastle potentially being forced into the sale of Alexander Isak due to Financial Fair Play, the Guardian reports that he is a figure being targeted. Similarly, Benjamin Sesko is another option in the No.9 role, the Standard states.

Gyokeres, though, is the top option.

On the wing, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is being examined. With six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, the 22-year-old has impressed, though repeated hamstring injuries are something of a red flag here.

How would Arsenal line up with these additions?

Arsenal's potential starting XI for 2023/24

© FootballTransfers - Arsenal with Olise and Gyokeres

David Raya would retain his spot in goal over Aaron Ramsdale, who looks increasingly likely to leave the club in the summer.

The defence, meanwhile, should be untouched. Ben White, Gabriel and William Saliba are all nailed-down regulars while Oleksandr Zinchenko is liable to be favoured at left-back.

Declan Rice, of course, anchors the midfield while Martin Odegaard could be moved deeper to accommodate Kai Havertz as a No.10.

Olise would play off the left, assuming he can fight his way into the team ahead of Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka remains on the right.

Up front is Gyokeres, assuming a deal is struck for him.

What’s important is that these additions could potentially give Arsenal the depth to rotate their side. Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are not included in this XI, while an additional defender to play a deeper role is also likely to come in.