Andrea Berta looks to be making fast progress on recruiting in key positions for Arsenal this summer.
Arsenal have exploded into transfer window action in recent weeks with sporting director Andrea Berta living up to the hype that surrounded his move to London from Atletico Madrid last season.
The Gunners have already confirmed a marquee central midfield signing with it seemingly just a matter of time before big money acquisitions up front and on the wing. Arsenal have also added strength in depth by poaching stars from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Brentford, as well as thinning out the squad with players leaving at the end of their contract.
It’s now just over a month until the return of the Premier League, with Arsenal beginning their season with a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on August 17. LondonWorld looks at how Mikel Arteta could pick his XI after more summer business.
Arsenal post transfer XI to face Manchester United
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber
David Raya now has competition in between the sticks from Kepa Arrizabalaga following his move from Chelsea. There would surely need to be an injury problem for Raya to see Kepa get the nod for the first match of the Premier League campaign against Manchester United.
The Gunners defence was not the problem last season, with the team’s undoing coming in a lack of cutting edge. There is some speculation over the future of William Saliba with Football365 carrying the latest on Arsenal’s efforts to seal a new contract deal amid Real Madrid interest. Should he leave, there are widespread reports that Arsenal admire the highly-rated Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, who could join Gabriel, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard
Christian Norgaard has arrived from Brentford for £15 million. That looks a shrewd acquisition by Mikel Arteta, even if the 31-year-old is likely to struggle to oust any of these three out from central midfield. He’ll still have a vital role to play over a long season with a lot of gametime.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are mainstays and, with Martin Zubimendi through the door at the Emirates Stadium nice and early, you’d expect him to be in with a chance of starting against the Red Devils. Arsenal haven’t paid £60 million for a bench warmer.
Noni Madueke edges close to Gunners switch
Wingers: Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka
Striker: Viktor Gyokeres
Bukayo Saka will be desperate to stay injury free this season and continue his prestige in the Premier League. Arsenal are moving close to completing a transfer for Noni Madueke from Chelsea. The England international already has seasons of top flight experience and is only going to get better. Arteta may prefer Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli in the first fixture but, with some questions over the future of those players, Madueke would be raring to go.
The striker transfer saga appears to be finally drawing to a close. Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres is doing his bit in forcing a move away from Portugal by refusing to train and that move to London seems only a matter of time.
