3 players Arsenal should target in the summer transfer window

Alex Iwobi and Alexandre Lacazette scored first half goals which set up a 2-1 victory for the Gunners over Huddersfield town. This was Arsenal’s first away victory since November. The last 5 away matches had given Arsenal a single point and they were slipping down in the race for Champions League qualification.

Unai Emery two days back, accepted the fact that Arsenal only have an outside chance to finish in the top 4 and Manchester United and Chelsea have better squads to achieve that goal. Emery also said that he doesn’t want to put extra pressure on his players to finish in the top four.

Emery’s team was punching above its weight at the start of the new season when they went 22 games unbeaten in all competitions but recent injuries to some main players has put a dent in its pursuit of the top four.

Here are the three players Emery should target in the summer.

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#1. Nicolas Pepe

Pepe who plays for Lille in Ligue 1 could be a good option

The Lille winger has caught the eye of many European big guns with his performances this season and he was also linked with Arsenal in the January transfer window. The 23-year-old has scored 17 goals this season and assisted 11 in all competitions. The Ivorian is just one goal behind Kylian Mbappe and has a contract which runs until 2022 June.

His manager rates him in the same bracket as Neymar and Mbappe and that would surely inflate his already high price tag. Bayern Munich are also thought to be interested in the youngster and Arsenal will have to make a quick decision to make sure the summer window doesn’t end up like the January one where they were not able to buy the player.

#2. Ben Chilwell

Chilwell has had a solid season, something his club has not had. Leicester City will find it tough to keep him away from signing for a big club in the summer. He has made 129 ball recoveries, 21 interceptions and also kept seven clean sheets for the mid table club.

Unai Emery has already made it clear that Arsenal are short in the left back position and he doesn’t see Kolasinac play the traditional role of a left back. Monreal is not getting any younger and his pace has dropped drastically owing to recent injuries. Emery has had to play with a back three to protect Kolasinac’s limited ability as a left back and to use his pace in the wing back position.

Chilwell has all the abilities that Bellerin possesses on the right side. He can outrun the opposite winger, he can put crosses, and more importantly he can defend. £50m is reported to be the asking price for the talented left back and given the crazy market scenario, it seems like a bargain.

#3. Kostas Manolas

Manolas could be the answer to Arsenal's struggles at the back

Manolas has a 89% pass completion rate in the Seria A this season, a high figure for a center back. Unai Emery needs calmness at the back so that he can implement the buildup from the back strategy well.

Manolas has been a stellar performer for a Roma side who have had a flattering season but Manolas is a player who can be the difference between winning a title and being a top-4 team if he plays for a stronger team. He is good in the air, has excellent passing abilities and would be a great prospect alongside fellow Greeks, Sokratis and Mavropanos.

The good thing for the Gunners is the current contract situation of Manolas. But the Gunners would have to fight off Juventus, who wiill also be keenly looking at the contract situation as they too have an ageing defence which Manolas can freshen up.