Arsenal are embroiled in a major fight for the Premier League title this season and despite dropping points three of their four matches this month, they still find themselves top of the table with one game in hand. January additions Leandro Trossard and Jorginho have already shown their worth in helping the cause with quality in depth.
While there will be complete focus on this campaign, behind the scenes there will be an eye on sustaining this form over a much longer period. Youngsters such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli give hope that there's plenty to come from this squad for years in the future.
"It’s not easy," Mikel Arteta said on the standards set by his younger cohorts of his squad earlier this season. "At that age and what some of the boys have done at 20 and 23 years old is rare. I don’t know if I’ve seen that in this league, but credit to them, they have the courage and the personality and the maturity to take the moment the way they do, and obviously they have the quality and the talent to do it.”
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While Arteta deals with the performances on the pitch, sporting director Edu Gaspar will be keen to look at opportunities to strengthen further in the summer. The Brazilian has been credited with part of the side's rise to the top again, but maintaining that could be tough.
One area for consideration is in midfield, with the form of Granit Xhaka on the left becoming something of a concern, with very few options beyond him. Brighton and Argentina international star Alexis Mac Allister has been linked as an option to solve this dilemma after an impressive few months.
The World Cup winner has even had a hint dropped over his future by his own father, Carlos Mac Allister, who is also his agent. He told TyC Sports: "It seems to me a very good thing that he [Alexis Mac Allister] has returned from the World Cup and has not despaired about leaving, enjoying success calmly and in peace, in a team that loves him very much. The reception he received has been the best. He is very well in the club.
"We all know that in July there will be possibilities to be able to leave. But prior to the World Cup, Alexis renewed his contract so that the club also has the opportunity of an important transfer, so that a lot can reach Brighton. It is the idea."
The suggestion of a move away in the summer opens up that possibility to the Gunners, who may be able to pounce on the chance. The 24-year-old has shown he can perform on the grandest of stages, though his career may have to take the next step to make that a regular occurrence.
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