We are now just a few weeks away from the summer transfer window opening and Arsenal will be hoping to continue to build on the progress they have made in recent years.
The north Londoners had finished eighth in back-to-back seasons under Mikel Arteta before coming fifth last year as it became clear that the Spaniard had the potential to guide his side back into the UEFA Champions League sooner rather than later. The Gunners have been much improved this term, currently sitting second having already qualified for Europe's elite competition with five games still to play.
But it isn't time to rest on their laurels, Arteta will be keen to strengthen his squad this summer and football.london takes a look at three moves Arsenal could make if they were to have their best possible transfer window at the end of the current campaign.
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Declan Rice
West Ham United captain Declan Rice is the club's priority for the summer transfer window, football.london understands as Arteta looks to bolster his midfield options at the end of the current campaign.
Rice is capable of playing in a holding role at the base of a midfield three and he is more than capable of operating a little further forward in an advanced no.8 position, an area that Granit Xhaka has been utilised in this term. The England international would add defensive nous, progressive passing and elite ball-carrying to the Gunners, who have looked lightweight in the centre of the park in recent weeks.
Aged just 24, Rice also has plenty of time to develop his game whilst also being a leader for the dressing room.
Moises Caicedo
Thomas Partey's poor injury record combined with the fact that Jorginho, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elney are all now in their 30s, it makes sense for Arsenal to bring in more than one midfielder this summer.
Like Rice, Brighton's Moises Caicedo is a tactically flexible option that can play as a no.6 or a box-to-box option. Arteta is clearly a fan too, with the north Londoners seeing a couple of bids for the Ecuadorian international rejected during the January transfer window.
Caicedo would instantly become Arsenal's most defensively skilled midfielder if he was to join, averaging 3.12 tackles ad 1.55 interceptions per 90 minutes this season, as per fbref. But he also can advance the ball vertically, registering 5.99 progressive passes per game this term.
Of course, it would be expensive to recruit both Rice and Caicedo this summer but if you want to beat Manchester City to the title, you need elite squad depth, particularly in midfield.
Marc Guehi
Arsenal's title charge seemed to unravel the second central defender William Saliba picked up a lower back injury. In fact, Arteta's side had conceded just 25 times in 27 league fixtures with the Frenchman starting, shipping 13 in the six matches without him.
It became more evident than ever that his replacement Rob Holding, is not a viable option to defend open spaces in the Gunners' current setup. The north Londoners need a centre-back that is comfortable on the ball, has the physical prowess to defend large spaces and is capable of stepping up in a high line.
This makes Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi a solid choice, with the England international said to be on the club's shortlist of potential targets. Guehi is still only 22 years old, he has plenty of time to develop his game having already established himself as one of the most consistent performing centre-halves in the Premier League over the last two years.
The former Chelsea man would undoubtedly be a significant upgrade on Holding and he fits Arsenal's transfer policy regarding bringing in young Premier League-proven players with a heigh-ceiling.
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