Mikel Arteta's Arsenal need will need strengthening over the summer in order to compete in the Champions League next season. It is squad depth that has left cracks starting to appear towards the end of this already remarkable campaign and that is a main area to address.
Few would have expected the Gunners to be in this position in the first place and therefore they will have access to parts of the transfer market that weren't available last summer. Key director Edu will be able to fill his boots heading into next season, though.
With one of the best young squads in the world and an elite-level young coach as well, it is a club that is extremely attractive to prospective players. Whereas Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham were originally off the cards they are now key targets.
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Although this creates opportunity it also adds jeopardy. If the Gunners don't make the most of their opportunity it could thwart them. In hindsight, the January window has backfired with Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior failing to add strength in key areas.
Leandro Trossard has hit the ground running but recent form suggests Arsenal missed out when they could have struck with a hot iron. Former striker Kevin Campbell believes that this summer will be key for setting the tone moving forward.
“Defence, midfield and attack,” he highlighted as main positions for improvement to Metro. “You need a full squad. I think this is why Arsenal have struggled a little bit of late, where you can’t freshen things up.
“You look at Man City, they can. They can play a so-called weakened team in the semi-finals of an FA Cup. Look at the players they left out to rest for the game against Arsenal. That’s what a quality squad can do.
“Arsenal have got to try to get to those levels. I’d like to see a new centre-forward come in. A couple of central midfielders to help with rotation. At centre-half, Arsenal don’t have the same depth as Man City."
Whilst Eddie Nketiah kept his side in the mix after the World Cup he has scored just four league goals and hasn't netted whilst Gabriel Jesus has been fit. Elsewhere, Rob Holding has been shown up with the extended absence of William Saliba in defence.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are able to rely on world-class players throughout their squad, often using Julian Alvarez from the bench. “That’s the blueprint," Campbell explained. "Man City have two quality players who can start in every position. That’s got to be the blueprint.
"I think Arsenal this season have been ahead of plan. Being a part of a title run-in has been incredible, but now we know our deficiencies. That’s an important thing to own up to and look and what you’ve got."
He added: "There are holes in the squad. Are we good enough to go up against Man City? No, we are not good enough to go up against Man City.
“That needs to be addressed and the ownership know what the plan is. The summer window is very important and being back in the Champions League will help as you can attract a better level of player, which Arsenal have not been able to do for a number of years.
“There’s a big picture and now we are going to see how serious the ownership are, as they have to bridge that gap.”
Bridging the gap to City has proven to be almost impossible over the years, with Liverpool investing heavily on Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Fabinho, as well as a group of other key additions over three years at a cost of $408m. Few other sides can afford such expenditure and it will be a test of Stan Kroenke's ambition and planning.
The American has splashed out more in recent years, letting $62.4m go for Ben White as well at $37.4m on Aaron Ramsdale before around $99.8m was spent on Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus in the summer. To take the next step up even more will be needed though and it is the return of an old question for fans.
Kroenke has been criticised for holding the club up in the past with minimal spending. In a position that comes ahead of the plan, it would be a risk to let this one slip without taking advantage.
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