The Premier League relegation battle looks to be coming down to two teams. Everton and Burnley. The two sides face a five-game dash for safety with the side formerly coached by Sean Dyche looking the favourites now to stay up after an upturn in form following a managerial change.
Arsenal meanwhile will face Everton on the final day of the season having already played Norwich City and Watford, the other two relegation candidates twice. Should the sides fall into the second tier, clubs will be queuing up to cherry-pick talent looking to escape the drop.
Of the four bottom sides, below are the best options that Arsenal could look to move for this summer, although very few, if any, would make the starting eleven. Perhaps a positive thing considering where Mikel Arteta is looking to take the club.
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Tim Krul – GK – Norwich City
It might seem odd to not select Nick Pope from the selected list but with Aaron Ramsdale already at Arsenal, I thought why not add the experienced third choice keeper into the mix instead. Krul is an incredibly well-travelled and international-level keeper with an eye for saving penalties. Add Krul to Ramsdale and the incoming Matt Turner and that is a strong core of stoppers.
Max Aarons – RB – Norwich City
Max Aarons has been linked to Arsenal in the past before the club signed Takehiro Tomiyasu. He is by far the strongest right-back amongst the relegation candidates and still presents a great option for Premier League sides in the summer. His contrasting style to Tomiyasu makes him a good option for Arsenal to bring in as competition.
Ben Godfrey – CB – Everton
A star in his first season for Everton, but like much of the Toffees’ squad, he has struggled in the current campaign. If Arsenal are to lose both Pablo Mari and Rob Holding this summer, Ben Godfrey would be an asset to the side. A player who can deputise in either full-back position too, there is more to come from the 24-year-old.
James Tarkowski – CB – Burnley
James Tarkowski will be available on a free transfer in the summer, alongside his experience at the Premier League level perhaps makes him an interesting replacement for Mari or Holding should they leave Arsenal. A no-nonsense centre-half, full of commitment, not the typical Arsenal defender by any means but possibly a good strength option which wouldn’t compromise any investment elsewhere in the summer.
Vitaliy Mykolenko – LB – Everton
Unlikely to leave Everton having only just joined in January, however, Vitaliy Mykolenko was considered one of the top talents emerging from Ukraine prior to his departure from Dynamo Kyiv. With Mari likely to move on, Mykolenko would be a solid left-footed replacement who can play at both centre-half and left-back. Bundles of potential not yet seen in his early auditions.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – CM – Everton
Honestly, the central midfield of all four clubs is rather bare and probably the reason why the quartet find themselves in a relegation scrap. Abdoulaye Doucoure however, would be a good Mohamed Elneny replacement to provide strength to the overall squad whilst not dropping experience. Arsenal fans have pined for the Frenchman for so long, perhaps it is now time to make it a reality?
Tom Davies – CM – Everton
Out for the season with an injury, Tom Davies’ loss to the team has been huge. The 23-year-old gave the Toffees’ middle third dynamism which was not matched by Doucoure, Allan and Andre Gomes. Even Donny van de Beek has been unable to inject the side with what Davies brought. He would be unlikely to make the Arsenal squad, but maybe one for a project to make some financial return on in the future?
Ismaila Sarr – RW – Watford
Watford’s standout performer and a player far too good for the Championship. There is a reason why Liverpool have been tracking the Senegalese winger for some time. If Nicolas Pepe is to move on, Sarr would be an appropriate replacement and seeing what he is capable of in a top-level side is an exciting prospect.
Anthony Gordon – LW – Everton
Everton’s best player without question. Without Anthony Gordon, Everton would probably be lost to the second tier by now. The 21-year-old scored in wins over Leeds United and Manchester United to give his side hope of survival, also assisting in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Gordon is sure to be a sought-after player in the summer.
Emmanuel Dennis – ST – Watford
Watford’s early-season standout. Emmanuel Dennis has picked up ten goals and added six more assists to his tally for the season. With Sarr injured for much of the campaign, the burden has fallen to Dennis on most occasions to step up to save the Hornets. It looks like in spite of his efforts, Watford will go down, but he is sure to earn a swift return to the Premier League this summer. Even Arsenal would be minded to consider him as a depth option for their forward line.
Richarlison – ST - Everton
It still baffles me to this day that not only were Barcelona mad enough to bid €100m for Richarlison but that Everton were even madder to reject it. There is no doubt that Richarlison has talent but is he really worth £85m? Well, any fee for him this summer should the Toffees face the drop is expected to be significantly less but he has outperformed the disappointing Dominic Calvert-Lewin this season, making him pip the England international onto this list.
