6 Players Arsenal Should Target to Overhaul Their Squad
With Arsenal staring down the barrel of a Champions League exit, thoughts are already turning to the summer transfer window.
The Gunners still need some elite recruits in the spine of their team to take them to the next level. With more financial muscle at their disposal, they can afford to aim higher than ever before.
That said, this piece tries to stay within the bounds of realism. There's no point suggesting Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Every player on the list is someone Arsenal could conceivably entice and afford.
Read on to discover the six men Arsenal should target this summer to reinvigorate their squad.
Petr Cech
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With neither Wojciech Szczesny nor David Ospina convincing as Arsenal's No. 1, Arsene Wenger should look to bring in a reliable goalkeeper like Chelsea's Petr Cech.
Doing this deal wouldn't be easy: Jose Mourinho is famously reluctant to sell players to rival clubs. However, Matt Law of The Telegraph has suggested that Arsenal are seriously exploring the possibility of luring Cech across London this summer.
Morgan Schneiderlin
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Despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin, Arsenal's priority this summer is likely to remain a new holding midfielder.
Morgan Schneiderlin is the primary target, according to L'Equipe (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star), which has reported on claims that a deal is already in place for the Frenchman to move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Schneiderlin would doubtless bring physicality and discipline to the Arsenal midfield.
Layvin Kurzawa
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At present, Arsene Wenger seems unable to decide between Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs as his first-choice left-back. Rather than put his faith in two flawed players, perhaps he should look to acquire an upgrade.
Monaco's Layvin Kurzawa is one of the most exciting young left-backs in the world. According to Paul Clenham of Goal.com, the 22-year-old is a serious target for Manchester City. Wenger should use his contacts with Monaco to try to edge ahead of them in the race for his signature.
Paul Pogba
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Arsenal fans can dream, can't they?
Even though Paul Pogba's agent has told the Express (h/t ESPN FC) that his client will cost more than Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal should still give a speculative bid consideration.
Improbable as landing Pogba initially seems, there is some cause for optimism. Arsene Wenger has a tremendous record of working with young French players, and Pogba would surely be tempted by the prospect of training under the man who oversaw the career of the iconic Patrick Vieira.
He might also feel that moving to Arsenal could present him with an opportunity to pay back his former club, Manchester United, for their failure to reward him with a substantial contract.
Geoffrey Kondogbia
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Back in November, former Arsenal man Perry Groves told The Express:
"They also need a physically imposing holding midfield player as they have many technically gifted players going forward but they don't have many players that think defensively.
There's a lad at Monaco called Geoffrey Kondogbia who is very similar to Patrick Vieira and he played at the Emirates Cup.
Arsenal need someone who can help in the transition from defence to attack.
It would take a lot of money to get him, but he's physically imposing and he would be the perfect buy.
"
After Kondogbia's outstanding performance at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League, there will be plenty more agreeing with Groves' assessment.
Sami Khedira
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Sami Khedira will be a free agent this summer. Back in December, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said, per ESPN, that there was no truth to the rumours suggesting Khedira would join Arsenal in January but could not deny he was likely to move on this summer.
Both Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have endured difficult seasons, and the addition of Khedira would provide them with an experienced role model. If deals for younger targets fall through, he could still be a viable midfield option.
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