Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are in a race against time to bolster the Arsenal squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta will be determined to lay down a marker when Arsenal lock horns with Coventry City on the opening day of the new Premier League season. The reigning champions are not set to host Frank Lampard’s side at the Emirates Stadium until Friday, August 21, giving Andrea Berta more than enough time to prepare the squad.
Although the transfer window doesn’t shut until Tuesday, September 1, the sporting director will be expected to have acquired the necessary targets and offloaded the deadwood well in advance. With Manchester City and Liverpool determined to dethrone the Gunners, Berta can’t afford to take his foot off the pedal this summer.
There’s still history to be made at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have never defended a Premier League title; Arteta knows he and Berta will have to make some ‘important decisions’ in order to ‘reach another level’.
Speaking to reporters last month, immediately after the heartbreaking defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, the Gunners boss outlined his plan for the new season. Arteta said: “First of all, I will take a few days with my family, and then we will start the process to review what we have done.
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“We will have to start making some very important decisions if we want to reach another level. We are going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it is going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
Coventry will also have a point to prove, as they begin their fight for survival in the English top-flight. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at how Arsenal could set up against the newly-promoted outfit on the opening day of the new Premier League season.
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Arteta remains loyal to Arsenal stars
Last season, Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League, leaving little room for improvement to the starting lineup. Arteta should do whatever it takes to keep David Raya between the sticks, as well as Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Jurrien Timber in the backline.
The Spaniard already has the luxury of rotating his full-backs with Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, respectively, who can also feature at centre-half, too. The Gunners could do with signing a new goalkeeper to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga on the bench, but otherwise, Berta doesn’t need to bring in a starting-level defender – unless, of course, somebody kicks up a fuss and suddenly wants to leave.
World Cup wonderkid rivals Zubimendi
Ayyoub Bouaddi, who’s already made a great impression at the World Cup would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad this summer. The 18-year-old playmaker could shoulder some of the workload with Martin Zubimendi in the middle of the park.
With so many fixtures in the calendar next season, Bouaddi would be able to play a reasonable amount of minutes at the very highest level, allowing him to hone his craft and make mistakes he can learn from in a stable environment. The Morocco international would significantly raise the floor at the Emirates Stadium, as well as the ceiling later down the line.
Arsenal frontline given makeover
The Arsenal frontline needs open-heart surgery this summer. If Betra could sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, wrap up a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola, and prise Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, the Gunners would boast one of the strongest attacks in Europe.
Arteta spoiled for choice
Arteta could be spoiled for choice when he faces Lampard at the Emirates Stadium on the opening day of the new Premier League season. If the Spaniard wants to compete on all fronts, Berta will need to secure the signatures of many big names, allowing plenty of rotation without fear of defeat.
Dream Arsenal starting lineup to face Coventry City in full: David Raya; Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber; Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi; Bradley Barcola (from Paris Saint-Germain), Morgan Rogers (from Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka; Julian Alvarez (from Atletico Madrid).
