You Can Sign Any 2 Players in the World: Arsenal Influencers Take Their Pick

We're right in the thick of the 2017 summer transfer window, with the shifting sands of speculation linking Arsenal with a raft of potential new signings.

It's a time where supporters indulge in flights of fancy, constructing hypothetical lineups packed with players whose registration still belongs to other clubs. Inevitably, every fan thinks they know just what kind of recruits their team needs.

In this piece, we reached out to a number of Arsenal influencers to find out who their two dream signings would be. Read on to discover their picks—from the admirably ambitious to the seemingly impossible.

Jane Cavendish, Arsenal Fan and Blogger

Twitter: @jcav90

Dream signings: N'Golo Kante and Naby Keita

"Any two players in the world? Money no object? Magic money tree? Strikers are the most valuable and sought-after players, aren't they? Ronaldo and Messi are the best two strikers playing today, perhaps the best there's ever been; but you don't need me to tell you that. Back in the real Arsenal world, we need midfield players more than strikers.

"For the last three seasons, the Premier League has been won by the best counter-attacking team. Key to this style of play is having quick, mobile destroyers in front of the defence who can screen them effectively, then launch the ball forward with speed and accuracy when they win it back. N'Golo Kante and Naby Keita would be my choice. Both excellent defensively, Kante has proved he has range of passing in transition situations, and Keita, with his ability to break the lines with his dribbling prowess, would be the perfect partner."

Jonny Singer, Sportswriter

Twitter: @Jonny_Singer

Dream signings: Ivan Rakitic and Kylian Mbappe

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"With Santi Cazorla doing his best Tomas Rosicky 2008/09 impression, Arsenal badly need someone to control games in midfield. Rakitic is world class, can dictate a game, beat a man and provide goals and assists. He'd work alongside Granit Xhaka, he'd look lovely next to Aaron Ramsey, he'd probably even make Francis Coquelin look like a functional footballer—and although it'd be a tough sell, he'd probably, just about, be attainable (maybe). 

"As for Kylian Mbappe, he has youth, movement and finishing ability—three ingredients Arsene loves in a striker. Sure, he'll cost a lot, and having just bought Alexandre Lacazette it'd be a bit of a surprise, but as much as anything it'd be a statement signing. Arsenal can, have and should buy the best. And Mbappe might just turn into that. Sign him up!"

Clive Palmer, Arsenal Fan and Commentator

Twitter: @ClivePAFC

Dream signings: Marcus Rashford and Leon Goretzka

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"There's lots of focus on Mbappe, but Marcus Rashford is the UK version. He's fast and worked so hard physically over the summer. I used to yearn for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but he stayed too long at Dortmund. Rashford is the centre-forward Arsenal need. He's fast, strong, Premier League-ready and has many years ahead of him.

"As for Leon Goretzka, he's a multi-functional number eight with attributes closer to a Ramsey than a Keita. He has the running from deep skill but is more technically secure than Aaron. He's a power shooter and a power runner—at 22, his ceiling is so high. Goretzka is the future of the German midfield and Thomas Muller's natural successor. Could he also be Ramsey's?"

JB, Gunner Punner extraordinaire 

Twitter: @GunnerPunner

Dream Signings: Kylian Mbappe and Thiago Alcantara

CHRISTOF STACHE/Getty Images

"It feels a bit obvious but I have to go with Mbappe. He's a huge prospect with potential for a long career at the top. Stylistically, he'd suit either system we use. On top of that, as an Arsenal fan, there's enough about his technique that reminds me of another French forward to make this a no-brainer.

"Midfields win titles, and I love Thiago. His technique is unique and so good to watch. He's versatile enough to play with any of the other midfielders in our team, building play or getting forward, and his defensive numbers are surprisingly good. Marco Verratti is an alternative but too obvious, and I can't get enough of watching the way Thiago passes the ball."

Princess Gooner, Member of the Gooner Ramble podcast

Twitter: @Goonergirl1969

Dream signings: Virgil van Dijk and Kylian Mbappe

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"I'd pick Virgil van Dijk because I think he'd fit our defence like a glove and is exactly what we need—his reading of the game is second to none, and he would be a future captain for sure.

"Mbappe is an absolute superstar in the making. His pace and his runs mean it surely won't be long until he's as good as Thierry Henry—an exciting prospect for the future."

Poznan In My Pants, Chicago-based blogger and regular contributor to the Arsenal Vision podcast

Twitter: @PoznanInMyPants

Dream signings: Naby Keita and Anthony Martial

Shaun Clark/Getty Images

"We have been so strongly linked with two of Monaco's stars this summer that I am now officially bored of Mbappe and no longer long for Lemar. We need to freshen up this Arsenal transfer window—although this could be a self-protection mechanism against inevitable disappointment.

"The area that most needs fixing, and about which we hear the least transfer buzz, is central midfield—and I'm terrified. Our only impressive Cazorla-less midfield pairing is Xhaka-Ramsey, and Ramsey only started 13 Premier League matches last year. Over the last four seasons, Ramsey has averaged 21 Premier League starts. And many of those starts were categorisable as Ramsey fighting his way back to fitness.

"We need a new central midfielder who can play alongside Xhaka and has the flexibility to partner any of our four or five other idiosyncratic options: Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny, Coquelin, 'The Ox' and perhaps even Cazorla, God willing.

"Keita would be the dream. The Red Bull Leipzig star wants a move. Liverpool are seemingly pushing hard for him, so it would be good to upset a top-four rival. Keita is like a Kante who isn't overhyped. He's box-to box with an amazing engine and goals and assists to boot. You might say he's a 'box-to-six-yard-box player.'

"Keita is like a fusion of Kante with Ramsey at his best. I can see why both Ramsey and Liverpool might hate this, but Arsene would thank his ruthless stars.

"Going back to the subject of Monaco players who won't be sold this summer...Anthony Martial. Wenger looked pretty ticked off when he missed out to Manchester United on his signing two summers ago. Mourinho wouldn't sell us typhoid, but the Glazers and Ed Woodward might, if we were willing to overpay. Does Wenger repairing the fortunes of an out-of-favour, young, French wide-attacker sound familiar? Hmmm. It's high time someone overpaid for Martial again."

FeverPitch, Arsenal blogger

Twitter: @feverpitch

Dream signings: Arturo Vidal and Harry Kane

ROMAN KRUCHININ/Getty Images

"A young Tony Adams and a young Patrick Vieira would be nice. Alternatively, how about Arturo Vidal? He's a central midfielder, box-to-box, a little bit crazy and a great leader. He's good mates with Alexis Sanchez, which can only help—and Lee Dixon approves!

"Secondly (wait for it): Harry Kane! He's had three really good seasons, it would weaken 'them' and he's a Gooner already. He'd also clear any future invasions of flying ants by breathing in!"

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and follows the club from a London base.