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Securing a Champions League spot was the top priority For Unai Emery's first season at Arsenal. But a fifth-place finish in the Premier League combined with a loss in the Europa League final ended the Gunners’ season on a disappointing note.
Failing to qualify for the Champions League means that Unai Emery is left with a shoestring budget which is reported to be around just £45 million, excluding player sales.
Arsenal are in dire need of a squad overhaul. But without Champions League the next season and the reported funds in hand, their dreams of landing marquee names are all but over. Nevertheless, Unai Emery has suggested that their failure will not affect their transfer business in the summer and has also hinted some major departures in order to generate more funds.
Keeping in mind the limited budgeted and the areas that need additions, here are some the signings that can help the Spanish manager continue his rebuilding process at the Emirates.
1. Dennis Praet (Sampdoria)
After spending over a decade at Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey will be heading to Turin next season to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The departure of the 28-year-old midfielder has not only left the Arsenal fans emotional, but has also created a void in the center of the park for the Gunners.
With other major targets almost certain to baulk at the prospect of not playing in the Champions League, Arsenal will be forced to look elsewhere. The Gunners therefore do have an unfamiliar, exciting, and a low cost alternative in Dennis Praet.
The Belgian currently plays for Seria A side Sampdoria. The Gunners signed Lucas Torriera from the same team last year. The Uruguayan became an instant hit with the fans and has enjoyed a successful campaign this season at the Emirates. It looks like Unai Emery wants to repeat history and this time wants to bring the Belgian midfielder to the Emirates this summer.
Praet has been impressive for the Italian side over the last couple of seasons. The youngster is a complete midfielder and excels in both - offensive and defensive - parts of the game. The Belgian international has the ability to run at the opposition with good bursts of pace as well as provide defensive support to the backline. This season, the midfielder averaged 2 tackles per game and contributed to 5 goals, scoring 2 and assisting 3 for the Blucerchiati.
The young midfielder is yet to enter his prime years and with the potential he possesses, he could prove to be a bargain for the Gunners.
2. Djene Dakonam (Getafe)
A weak defense and Arsenal have been synonymous for about a decade now. Season after season, the Gunners’ defense has let them down, be it inconsistency, lack of experience or just poor quality all round. And while there may have been improvements in other areas, the Arsenal defense still appears to be in shambles. The fact that Unai Emery’s side conceded more than fifty goals again this season speaks volumes.
Arsenal’s current defensive options are shaky at best. However, with Champions League out of the picture for the next season, the North Londoners will face certain rejection from some of the more high-profile targets.
Nevertheless, it looks like Emery has found the answer to their defensive woes in Getafe defender Djene Dakonam, whom Arsenal are reportedly considering making an offer for.
Dakonam was in amazing form throughout in what turned out to be a miraculous season for Getafe. With 11 clean sheets, the Togolese has been one of the finest defenders in the La Liga last season. He played a huge role in the Spanish side’s European charge which was backed by their defensive solidity. The 27-year-old averaged 1.6 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game and played across the backline seamlessly.
In a market where teams are paying hefty amounts for defenders, Djene - who is in the prime years of his career - could prove to be a great signing for the Gunners.
3. Ryan Fraser (AFC Bournemouth)
Arsenal are in a desperate need of a quality winger, someone who can improve their effectiveness going forward and provide incisive service to the talented attacking pair of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng.
With the Gunners’ pursuit for big money players like Wilfried Zaha and Nicolas Pepe looking more or less over, Ryan Fraser seems to be the most suitable option.
Rumours surrounding the Bournemouth winger’s move to Arsenal have been going around for quite a while and deservedly so. The 25-year-old winger was in fine form during the 2018-19 campaign. The Bournemouth man contributed to 22 goals this season, scoring 7 and creating 15. The Scot ended the season with the second highest assists in the Premier League, only behind Eden Hazard.
Apart from his impressive statistics this season, along with his obvious quality, the Bournemouth man possesses a high work rate which is something Unai Emery demands from his players.
With another commendable season behind him, a reasonable transfer value and more importantly his adequate Premier league experience, Fraser can be the perfect addition to the Arsenal attack.
4.Thomas Meunier (Paris Saint-Germain)
Along with the wings and the central defense, another position that needs improvement is wing-back with the position being a crucial part of Emery’s style of football. With Stephan Lichstiener past his prime, Ainsley Maitland-Niles playing out of position and Sead Kolasinac being highly inconsistent, there is a need of wing back to provide cover for the injured Hector Bellerin.
According to reports, Paris Saint-Germain star Thomas Meunier is touted to be the answer to the Gunners’ problem. 27-year-old Meunier is an attack-minded wingback and carries versatility to play on either flank making him perfectly suited for Unai Emery’s system. Moreover, the Belgian international has contributed to 12 goals this season, scoring 5. Additionally, the pair share a strong relationship due to their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.
Meunier has fallen out of favour at PSG, playing second fiddle to the Brazilian Dani Alves. With just a year left on his contract, he could prove to be a suitable and low-cost option for the North Londoners.
