The transfer window may not be officially open yet, but that doesn't mean Arsenal's work hasn't already begun. Edu was able to build Mikel Arteta a top-quality squad courtesy of around £125million investment last summer, and something even bigger could be on the cards this time around.
The Gunners will be playing Champions League football for the first time since 2017, and as a result Arteta will need a far deeper squad. One of the areas they look set to strengthen is their attack.
Bukayo Saka has already extended his contract, but there is uncertainty over the futures of attackers like Nicolas Pepe and Marquinhos that could open up space in the squad for additions. With that in mind football.london takes a look at Arsenal's dream potential front line next season
Dream attack
The top end of the pitch is where Arteta has several untouchables in his squad. Saka will be a part of the plans come rain or shine and the same can be said of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. Leandro Trossard, meanwhile, has had a superb impact since his January arrival from Brighton, while Eddie Nketiah did well when covering for Jesus after his injury at the World Cup.
Beyond that though there are plenty of decisions to be made. Reiss Nelson is on the verge of signing a contract extension that will see him play a key role in the squad. His fellow Hale Ender Folarin Balogun has a slightly less certain future though. football.london understands that Arsenal are willing to let him leave permanently this summer despite his superb loan spell with Stade de Reims in which he scored 21 Ligue 1 goals. The American's value is unlikely to get much higher than it is now when you consider he has just two years remaining on his contract. Nicolas Pepe meanwhile is set to leave the club on a permanent basis as well.
Youngster Marquinhos meanwhile looks destined for a season back out on loan. The Brazilian impressed in the early period after his summer arrival from Sao Paolo, but struggled for game time before failing to really set the world alight with Norwich in the second half of the season.
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Those departures would leave space for another forward in the squad. Arteta has stated that he wants more firepower, but it still seems unlikely that he will bring in an orthodox number nine this summer. If a forward is to come in, it's likely to be one who can operate across the front line.
Some have suggested that Kylian Mbappe could be the answer for this. The Frenchman seems set to leave PSG this summer after refusing to trigger on option to extend his contract. It's highly unlikely that Arsenal will move for him, though. Mbappe's wages would be astronomical, and the 24-year-old has always shown a leaning towards Real Madrid.
A more likely option would appear to be Mbappe's international teammate Moussa Diaby. The Bayer Leverkusen man could be available for around £50million this summer according to reports, and would be the kind of versatile addition that would fit the bill of Arteta's demands up top.
Dream Arsenal forward line - Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Moussa Diaby.
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