With Champions League football back at the Emirates for the first time in seven years it's going to be a massive summer for Arsenal. The Gunners ran Manchester City close for the Premier League title last season, but they know more is needed if they are to bridge the gap.
It's essential that they get things right this summer, and two key questions are hanging over them. Do you have faith that Arsenal’s recruitment strategy will secure the players needed this summer and how many signings do Arsenal need to compete in both the Champions League and Premier League?
We asked football.london's Arsenal correspondents Kaya Kaynak, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne and Tom Canton for their views. You can read their thoughts before having your own say in our Big Forum survey below!
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal correspondent
Do you have faith that Arsenal’s recruitment strategy will secure the players needed this summer?
I think with their track record across the past few seasons you'd have to be mad not to. The lukewarm reactions to signings like Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Jorginho have more or less stripped Arsenal fans of the right to question Edu and Mikel Arteta's talent ID.
Of course, there have been a few misses. I still won't forget Runar Alex Runarsson, while Fabio Vieira has taken a while to get going, but I think it's safe to say that Arsenal's recruitment team know what they're doing.
On top of being able to identify the right players they also have a superb ability to know when to walk away from a deal. That is one of the strongest cards buying clubs have to play in the transfer market and Edu and Richard Garlick regularly use it well.
There's lots of positions where they need to strengthen this summer, but I think getting the defence right is the key. Arsenal's first choice back four is superb, but as we saw towards the end of last season, its depth is still a problem. With Champions League football coming up that can't be allowed to happen again, and it seems like Edu, Arteta and Garlick are fully aware of that.
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How many signings do Arsenal need to compete in both the Champions League and Premier League?
I don't think Arsenal are too far off myself. I think they could have done with a central midfielder even before Granit Xhaka was due to leave, so I'd say they probably need two now. Declan Rice is heading in the right direction, but I'd love to see Moises Caicedo come in beyond that. For me that would turn the Gunners into a proper Champions League squad rather than just a first XI.
Beyond that I think someone who can play centre back is desperately needed. To be honest you could probably be alright with Takehiro Tomiyasu or Ben White back in the middle as they have done in the past. With that in mind, I'd change my request to a defender full stop which takes the tally up to three.
I'm not massively of the opinion that a forward player is a must for Arsenal this summer, especially when you consider that Reiss Nelson is now likely to stay. But if there's still enough in the tank to go for one it certainly wouldn't hurt, so I'm going to say the Gunners need four players overall.
Rice and Caicedo alone are probably around £200million worth of player. Throw in a versatile defender and a forward and you're looking around at least the £250million mark. It's a big investment for Arsenal but in my opinion it would certainly be worth it.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal writer
Do you have faith that Arsenal’s recruitment strategy will secure the players needed this summer?
Arsenal's recent track record is a bit hit-and-miss, so I'm rather cautious about this summer. Yes, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Benjamin White and Martin Odegaard have been great signings, but the less said about deals for Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Runar Alex Runarsson the better, so far.
Having said that, with more hits than misses, Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have certainly earned the right to go again. Although, given the club's stance on not overbidding or being dragged into a bidding war with other clubs it does make me question if they can get certain deals over the line. I do think the most important deal to get done this summer is bringing in Declan Rice as the England international could be a transformative signing.
How many signings do Arsenal need to compete in both the Champions League and Premier League?
I'd say three with a total spend of £200m+. Two central midfielders and a striker that is of a different profile to Gabriel Jesus, thus allowing the Brazilian to perhaps step in for Bukayo Saka on the right-wing. It's important the engine room is bolstered especially with Granit Xhaka leaving so links to Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are encouraging.
There is an argument for Arteta and Edu to bring in another defender. Having conceded 42 goals in the season just gone, it's clear the department needs to be addressed. But I would point out that with William Saliba, White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal have plenty of options even if Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding leave.
Of course, a lot depends on the fitness of Tomiyasu. If he can stay fit then he can provide cover across the back four and there's also a chance to give youngsters such as Reuell Walters some minutes in the first-team next season.
Tom Canton - Arsenal writer
Do you have faith that Arsenal’s recruitment strategy will secure the players needed this summer?
I think if there is one thing we can take from the work that manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have done it is progressing this Arsenal team with the signings they’ve made. From Gabriel Magalhaes in 2020 to Leandro Trossard in the January window of 2023, the work getting in key targets or swiftly pivoting to alternatives has seen the club rise back into the frame of a side competing for the Premier League title.
That in turn has made the club a far more attractive place to consider joining. Therefore the Gunners can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Bayern Munich for Declan Rice.
The project is alluring for the world’s top stars but that also means the summer cannot be wasted. Of Rice and Moises Caicedo at least one needs to be brought in and I have optimism that will be the case.
How many signings do Arsenal need to compete in both the Champions League and Premier League?
At least five but potentially six in a dream world. It’s simple for me, two central midfielders, two defenders for either side should Kieran Tierney move on as is likely, and lastly a forward player with ideally a centre-forward thrown in for good measure. Competitive options is what Mikel Arteta needs.
Allowing for rotation between the tournaments without the level dropping. There remain question marks over the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira but it will be the manager’s job to maximise their potential.
But yes, at least five signings of a level that sees them add starting quality to the team which is likely to cost over £200million, potentially reaching £250million.
Do you agree with the Arsenal writers? Have your say in the Big Forum below!
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