Biggest Summer Transfer Needs for Arsenal
The summer transfer window is always a stressful time for Arsenal fans.
The club's business tends to go to the wire. Last summer, they waited until deadline day before bringing in Mesut Ozil. Prior to that blockbuster deal, they hadn't spent a single penny.
This summer, there will be lots of items on Arsenal's transfer agenda. In this piece, we count down the four areas that require most urgent attention.
4. Defensive Midfielder
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Arsenal signed a new defensive midfielder last summer in the shape of Mathieu Flamini. However, Flamini recently turned 30. Arsenal's other holding midfield player, Mikel Arteta, will be 32 before the end of the current campaign.
Arsene Wenger might hold out hope of a comeback for Abou Diaby, butโgiven his history of serious injuriesโthat prospect seems both improbable and unreliable.
Arsenal could do with a youthful, combative midfielder to take over from the fading Arteta.
3. Goalkeeper
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Arsenal absolutely must sign a goalkeeper this summer. Their current back-up for Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski, has already made it clear he will leave the club in June at the end of his contract. Fabianski told Sky Sports:
"I want to be number one in the club and in the Polish national team. I have learned a lot at London during very positive and challenging periods.
With biggest respect to this great club, I didn't accept the extension offer as I am looking forward to a new challenge in England or abroad.
"
Arsenal must find a new goalkeeper with the ability to keep Szczesny on his toes and provide cover when required.
2. Centre-Forward
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Arsenal have been looking for a new centre-forward for nearly a year now. Last summer, they were foiled in high-profile moves for Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain. They were widely expected to sign a new striker in January, but Arsene Wenger could not find anyone to fit the bill.
In the absence of new recruits, Olivier Giroud has filled the void. He has scored a creditable 18 goals this season, but is hampered by a lack of pace.
Arsenal fans crave a new striker with the kind of exciting style that made Thierry Henry a legend in North London.
1. Right-Back
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As much as Arsenal fans want to see a striker arrive, the need for a new right-back may be even more pressing.
As things stand, it appears unlikely that Bacary Sagna will sign a new deal with the club. According to Zarif Rasul of The Mirror, Arsenal are already eyeing up Toulouse full-back Serge Aurier as a potential replacement.
Carl Jenkinson is far from ready to inherit Sagna's first-team place, so it is essential that Arsenal's scouting team identify a successor to the Frenchman.
Which area do you think Arsenal need to strengthen most? Let us know below.
