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Three signings that can win Arsenal the Premier League title – but they’ll need to splash the cash
These are good times in the red half of north London, but falling just short for a fourth successive year will not sit right next season. It must be a splash-the-cash summer in N5, to help turn Mikel Arteta’s contenders into champions. Arsenal’s board must deliver for Arsenal this summer to stand any chance of the club winning their first title since 2004AFP Unbeaten in 20 games against the ‘Big Six’, Arsenal are no longer a soft touch and the squad is young, gifted, united and defensively outstanding. But do they have enough attacking brilliance to get the wins they need to finish top of the pile? That’s where things fall a fraction short. Allowing his front four to play in a more mercurial way is a tactical tweak I expect Arteta to make, encouraging greater freedom and added chaos next term. But the talent pool also needs to be boosted by some gamechangers. Here’s my take on what Arsenal need to do in the summer transfer window, to finally get over the line…. A special left-wing talent: Bradley Barcola or Nico Williams Seventeen months ago, Arteta was accused of being unnecessarily brutal when deciding to upgrade popular goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya. It felt incredibly harsh because the England international hadn’t done anything wrong, but the Gunners boss felt there was a better option out there. And he was right to make that call. Sometimes the pursuit of ambition, means difficult choices must be made. With that in mind I think Arteta will bring in a new left winger. Leandro Trossard is a terrific player, and Gabriel Martinelli should be considered one of Arsenal’s greatest signings this century, arriving for just £6million from the fourth-tier of Brazilian football. Trossard is closing in on 50 appearances this season – but has just six goals to his nameGetty Martinelli is a fan favourite at the Emirates – but he’s scored just 12 top-flight goals in the last two campaignsGetty But since scoring 15 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 campaign, just 12 more in 59 top-flight appearances have followed – plus seven assists. As thrilling as he can be, that is not world class output, and it puts him in the firing line. Who might be able to sprinkle added magic? Two sensational young talents that spring to mind is Paris Saint-Germain wing wizard Bradley Barcola and Spain sensation Nico Williams. Both 22, with a proven temperament at the highest level, their prime is just around the corner. Barcola has a lovely blend of speed and panache, exploding away from his markers with a trick, body swerve, or a frightening piece of acceleration. Delivering 18 goals and 12 assists this term, including three of each in the Champions League, I believe he can take the Gunners to the next level. Barcola has starred in his second season at Parc des Princes since arriving Williams is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers – helping Spain win Euro 2024 Also capable of playing as a striker, Barcola would add extraordinary value and the C-factor Arsenal’s attack craves. Euro 2024 star Williams – a cult hero at Athletic Bilbao – is another who ticks so many boxes. His raw stats are not off-the-charts impressive, but the eye test is very good, and it feels like he’s someone who raises his level for the biggest games. When a moment of inspiration is required, Williams has a habit of delivering clutch contributions. There’s no doubt in my mind that Williams has ‘got it.’ Arsenal can’t solely rely on Bukayo Saka’s brilliance to produce match winning moments. Others must carry an equal threat. The thought of Barcola or Williams balancing things out on the other flank, is ridiculously exciting. A central midfield tone setter: Bruno Guimaraes or Martin Zubimendi With Thomas Partey and Jorginho out of contract, Arsenal will embark on a central midfield revamp. Whoever comes in will have to be a great passer, somebody brave enough to move the ball vertically through the lines. They must also be mobile, athletic, and defensively robust. My first choice would be Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes. He’s oven-ready in Premier League terms and just like Declan Rice, the Brazilian can do a bit of everything, very well indeed. He creates chances, leads by example, tackles, breaks up play and passes the ball superbly. The midfielder also chips in with goals. At least one of Arsenal’s incomings will need to have experience in English football’s top-flight, and with Guimaraes you know exactly what you’re getting. Arsenal are expected to sign a new midfielder with Partey and Jorginho set to become free agentsGetty Guimaraes, who has featured in 28 league games this term, has starred since joining from Lyon in 2022 I can see Rice and Guimaraes forming a straightforward partnership that sees them take turns at pushing on and sitting off. None of this No.
These are good times in the red half of north London, but falling just short for a fourth successive year will not sit right next season.
It must be a splash-the-cash summer in N5, to help turn Mikel Arteta’s contenders into champions.
Unbeaten in 20 games against the ‘Big Six’, Arsenal are no longer a soft touch and the squad is young, gifted, united and defensively outstanding.
But do they have enough attacking brilliance to get the wins they need to finish top of the pile?
That’s where things fall a fraction short.
Allowing his front four to play in a more mercurial way is a tactical tweak I expect Arteta to make, encouraging greater freedom and added chaos next term.
But the talent pool also needs to be boosted by some gamechangers.
Here’s my take on what Arsenal need to do in the summer transfer window, to finally get over the line….
A special left-wing talent: Bradley Barcola or Nico Williams
Seventeen months ago, Arteta was accused of being unnecessarily brutal when deciding to upgrade popular goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya.
It felt incredibly harsh because the England international hadn’t done anything wrong, but the Gunners boss felt there was a better option out there. And he was right to make that call.
Sometimes the pursuit of ambition, means difficult choices must be made. With that in mind I think Arteta will bring in a new left winger.
Leandro Trossard is a terrific player, and Gabriel Martinelli should be considered one of Arsenal’s greatest signings this century, arriving for just £6million from the fourth-tier of Brazilian football.
But since scoring 15 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 campaign, just 12 more in 59 top-flight appearances have followed – plus seven assists.
As thrilling as he can be, that is not world class output, and it puts him in the firing line. Who might be able to sprinkle added magic?
Two sensational young talents that spring to mind is Paris Saint-Germain wing wizard Bradley Barcola and Spain sensation Nico Williams.
Both 22, with a proven temperament at the highest level, their prime is just around the corner.
Barcola has a lovely blend of speed and panache, exploding away from his markers with a trick, body swerve, or a frightening piece of acceleration.
Delivering 18 goals and 12 assists this term, including three of each in the Champions League, I believe he can take the Gunners to the next level.
Also capable of playing as a striker, Barcola would add extraordinary value and the C-factor Arsenal’s attack craves.
Euro 2024 star Williams – a cult hero at Athletic Bilbao – is another who ticks so many boxes.
His raw stats are not off-the-charts impressive, but the eye test is very good, and it feels like he’s someone who raises his level for the biggest games.
When a moment of inspiration is required, Williams has a habit of delivering clutch contributions. There’s no doubt in my mind that Williams has ‘got it.’
Arsenal can’t solely rely on Bukayo Saka’s brilliance to produce match winning moments. Others must carry an equal threat.
The thought of Barcola or Williams balancing things out on the other flank, is ridiculously exciting.
A central midfield tone setter: Bruno Guimaraes or Martin Zubimendi
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho out of contract, Arsenal will embark on a central midfield revamp.
Whoever comes in will have to be a great passer, somebody brave enough to move the ball vertically through the lines.
They must also be mobile, athletic, and defensively robust. My first choice would be Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.
He’s oven-ready in Premier League terms and just like Declan Rice, the Brazilian can do a bit of everything, very well indeed.
He creates chances, leads by example, tackles, breaks up play and passes the ball superbly. The midfielder also chips in with goals.
At least one of Arsenal’s incomings will need to have experience in English football’s top-flight, and with Guimaraes you know exactly what you’re getting.
I can see Rice and Guimaraes forming a straightforward partnership that sees them take turns at pushing on and sitting off. None of this No. 6 and No. 8 nonsense.
Trust me, opponents would hate facing them as a pair. I also like Martin Zubimendi, who was this week linked with Real Madrid.
He’s the kind of tone setter the side needs, and he has the qualities to dictate games like a younger version of Jorginho.
His progressive passing can unlock Arsenal’s attacking
potential.
My only concerns are a lack of physicality, and whether he has the desire to come to the Premier League.
He’s certainly good enough to make a difference, but I would
put Guimaraes just ahead of him.
A clinical striker: Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak
Arsenal’s pursuit of a top-class centre forward has dragged on and on, so it’s essential they get at least one in this summer.
Without a ruthless marksman, winning major trophies is always going to be a stretch.
Alexander Isak is the dream ticket. His finishing is exquisite, and the Swede’s movement and ball-carrying brilliance would fit like the snuggest of gloves in Arteta’s style of play.
He’d score a lorry load of goals. At the price, is he a realistic target though?
He’s worth pushing the boat out for, but if that door is closed, I still believe Benjamin Sesko (21) or Hugo Ekitike (22) can thrive in N5 instead.
Both are works in progress, but as tall, quick strikers they fit Arteta’s preferred mould, and they have both scored brilliant individual goals in the Bundesliga.
Does either offer enough outside of scoring to start ahead of Kai Havertz?
That is up for debate, but the potential is there for either forward to grow into the role.
Both score plenty without being seriously prolific, but at their age you would have said the same about Isak and Robert Lewandowski.
Spend big and the trophies will come
Arsenal have made too much progress to remain empty handed. Now is the time to push on.
The manager and players deserve a proper tilt at the title next season, and to facilitate that new director of football Andrea Berta has to have a blinder this summer.
If he does bring in at least three top notch talents, Arsenal would justifiably start next season as favourites to land the big one.
