Arsenal are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window. In fact, manager Mikel Arteta has already confirmed this will be the case with his first-team squad in need of bolstering if they're to balance competing in the Premier League and in Europe next season.
"I am expecting so, yes. I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot," the Spaniard revealed.
"If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we've had to do, if you ask me what I want it's 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers. You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time."
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As previously reported by football.london, one of the areas Arsenal are looking to strengthen in is central midfield and they've been strongly linked with moves for the likes of Fabian Ruiz, Renato Sanches and Youri Tielemans. Another name that can be added to the ever-growing list is that of Wolves' Ruben Neves who reportedly has a price-tag of between £50m-£60m.
The Portugal international was on the Gunners' radar last summer, with Arteta of the opinion that the midfielder's asking price would make him the ideal replacement for Granit Xhaka - who could be on the way out at the end of the season amid fresh links with AS Roma - but weren't prepared to pay the £35million asking price.
Interestingly, the general consensus amongst some Arsenal fans is that Arteta and technical director Edu must bring in an upgrade on Xhaka this summer. Although given the Switzerland international's role has changed over the course of the season, it means a different type of midfielder must to be targeted to complete the dream 4-3-3 set-up.
A player that can slot in on the left-side of the midfield three, capable of carrying the ball up the field and making an impact in the final third is the ideal signing and as per FBREF, those aren't the strong parts of Neves' game as he's averaging 13.8 passes in the attacking third per 90 minutes which is less than Xhaka despite making nine more Premier League appearances.
And whilst Neves does beat Xhaka for successful dribbles per 90 minutes (0.87 to 0.66), he loses out to the Switzerland international in terms of ball carries into the 18-yard box (0.12 to 0.16) per 90. But for context, Renato Sanches and Fabian Ruiz are both averaging at least 20 touches per 90 in the attacking third, with the former also recording 0.94 carries into the 18-yard box per 90 which could make him the better signing.
With Neves better suited operating as a deep-lying midfielder, screening the back four and using his wide range of passing to dictate a game, but when fit, that role at Arsenal will be occupied by Thomas Partey next season. So unless the plan is to revert back to a double pivot in midfield and move away from the 4-3-3 formation that has coincided with Arsenal's most consistent run of form since Arteta took charge, pursuing a deal for the Wolves ace wouldn't be a good piece of business as he doesn't appear to fit the new tactical set-up.
Furthermore, the fact Neves may have a hard time winning over some Arsenal fans following his comments after a game between the two sides this season and his rather worrying disciplinary record - nine yellow cards which is more than any Gunners player - all signs are pointing towards Arteta and Edu avoiding a potential £60m transfer mistake.
