Arsenal are expected to splash the cash again this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to defend the Premier League title and win the Champions League.
If Arsenal are to defend the Premier League title and finally win the Champions League, Andrea Berta needs to significantly bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options this summer.
Last season, the Gunners boasted the best defensive record across domestic and European competitions, yet they won only one trophy. Arsenal were just minutes away from defeating Paris Saint-Germain and winning Europe’s elite competition for the first time in their history, but they stumbled at the final hurdle and lost on penalties.
The Gunners squandered a hard-fought lead over Luis Enrique’s side. Rather than go for the jugular after storming ahead inside the opening minutes, Arsenal took their foot off the pedal and invited pressure, gifting PSG the chance to steady the ship.
Even after Ousmane Dembele scored an equaliser, Arteta’s side showed no sign of breaching the Parisians’ backline. Ultimately, the Gunners’ failure to pile on the pressure and shift through the gears after going in front cost them a piece of silverware.
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PSG were there for the taking, but Arsenal, by choice or not, accepted a mere one-goal lead. Had Arteta been armed with the tools to dismantle the French giants, he very well could’ve left the Puskas Arena with a Champions League medal around his neck.
This summer, Berta needs to swallow his pride and ensure that the Spaniard’s attacking options are just as strong as his defensive options. So, with that being said, football.london has rebuilt the Arsenal frontline.
Arteta axes FOUR Arsenal stars
The Arsenal frontline needs open-heart surgery. Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Viktor Gyokeres each played a role in helping Arteta win the Premier League, but the lack of quality up front cost the Gunners when it mattered most: the Champions League final.
Martinelli and Jesus are set to enter the final 12 months of their respective contracts with Arsenal this summer, while Madueke and Gyokeres fell widely short of expectations. Unless they show drastic signs of improvement at the World Cup, Berta should swallow his pride and cut his losses.
To be sold for a combined €177m/£153m, according to Transfermarkt: Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke.
Berta forks out £285m on new faces
Arsenal need to sign a world-class striker, as well as a world-class, or at least close to world-class, left-winger and attacking midfielder. Julian Alvarez, who was recently subject to a €150m (£129m) bid by Real Madrid, would be an excellent addition to get the ball rolling.
Bradley Barcola appears to face a somewhat uncertain future at PSG, and he’d be a great signing who would instantly improve the frontline. As would Morgan Rogers, who’d feature primarily in a central role but also provide cover on the left.
If Arteta plans to play Kai Havertz slightly deeper, as he has on a few occasions in the past, Berta should go and sign Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth, so long as he’s available for a reasonable fee.
To be signed for a combined €330m/£285m, according to Transfermarkt: Julian Alvarez, Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, and Eli Junior Kroupi.
Arteta spoiled for choice
Arteta would be spoiled for choice if Berta were to give his frontline a makeover. Arsenal would finally have the tools to go toe-to-toe, offensively, with the very best teams in the world.
Net spend: €153m/£132m.
Arsenal forwards to choose from:
- Attacking midfielders: Martin Odegaard, Morgan Rogers, Max Dowman.
- Left-wingers: Bradley Barcola, Leandro Trossard.
- Right-wingers: Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri.
- Strikers: Julian Alvarez, Eli Junior Kroupi, Kai Havertz.
Dream Arsenal starting lineup in full: David Raya; Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi; Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola; Julian Alvarez.
