What Arsenal Need to do in the Summer to Challenge Again

20.06.23 1175

It is fair to say nobody predicted Arsenal to be the team pushing Manchester City for the title in the 2022/23 Premier League season.

At one stage of the campaign, Arsenal were the clear favourites to win their first title since 2003/04 but they fell away towards the end of the season under extreme pressure from Manchester City.

The question is, can Arsenal return for another title big in the 2023/24 campaign and what do they need to do in the summer to boost their chances?

The first issue was to tie down their best players to long term contracts.

Bukayo Saka has already agreed a new deal that will take him through to the summer of 2027 and the Gunners have also extended the contract of key defender, William Saliba, which will keep the Frenchman at the Emirates Stadium for at least the same period.

With both players having agreed deals, it appears the only player who was a regular in the Arsenal starting XI last season who could leave, is Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss international has been strongly linked with a move to the Bundesliga and that will mean a hole Mikel Arteta will need to fill in central midfield.

Thomas Partey struggled towards the end of last season and it is clear, if Arsenal are going to mount a serious title challenge again in 2023/24, they need to bolster their defensive midfield.

Declan Rice has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal and the West Ham man is set to move from the London Stadium this summer.

Moises Caicedo of Brighton was poised to move to Arsenal in the January transfer window but that move was stopped by the Seagulls.

Arsenal know the player is keen to join the club and they may reignite their interest in the summer but like Rice, the competition for his signature is going to be fierce.

Arsenal struggled without Saliba in central defence in the closing stages of last season.

The back-up options were not good enough and to win the Premier League a quality starting XI alone is not enough, you need a quality squad.

Rob Holding cannot be held personally responsible for Arsenal’s collapse last season but Arsenal need an upgrade because if Saliba or Gabriel were to miss large parts of next season, it could prove costly.

In the forward positions, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are exceptional and Leandro Trossard is a good replacement.

However, with Champions League football next season, Arsenal are going to need another addition in the wide positions.

Someone who can push Martinelli and Saka for their place in the team and perform when required by the manager in their absence.

It will be difficult to sign a player who has been playing well elsewhere to come to a club with two wide players who are clearly first choice.

Arteta has a lot to think about in what is a crucial summer of transfers for Arsenal. Will they show they mean business in terms of the title or will a lack of ambition see them slip back into the chasing pack?