Deemed a failure by most, Arsenal managed to end the season having clinched their third FA Cup trophy in four years, beating Premier League champions, Chelsea. Although another major honour, it doesn’t hide the fact that Arsenal will be playing Europa League football next season.
However, as Manchester United showed by beating Ajax in the final, it’s not the be all and end all. In fact, it’s a chance to get a European trophy under your belt – something that Arsene Wenger has failed to achieve in his tenure at the Premier League club.
Win the Europa League, and they’ll be playing Champions League football once again. For that to happen, Arsenal and the club’s hierarchy need to make moves in the summer transfer window. He’s five players’ they could sign…
Jordan Pickford
Relegated with Sunderland, there’s no doubt that Jordan Pickford will be the England’s eventual No. 1. With David Ospina seemingly out of the door at Arsenal, Wojciech Szczesny close to joining Juventus and Petr Cech not getting any younger, they need to strengthen their goalkeeping position.
Pickford cemented him as Sunderland’s No. 1. Stopper this season, missing just nine Premier League fixtures for the club that finished rock bottom. Although that doesn’t bode to well, the 23-year-old is an excellent shot-stopper whilst his ability in one-on-ones makes Pickford one of the best in the Premier League.
However, should Arsenal wish to land the young Englishman, they’re going to have to splash the cash. There’s no hiding the fact that domestic players cost an arm and a leg, but this one would certainly be worth it in the long-term for Arsenal. Sunderland laughed off an £8 million bid from Everton, whilst it’s expected between £25m and £30m will be needed to land this star.
#2 Alexandre Lacazette
One of the most wanted strikers this summer, Alexandre Lacazette has a plethora of clubs chasing his signature. On the verge of signing for Atletico Madrid, they’ve been handed a transfer ban, not allowing them to sign players until January. This is something that Arsenal must capitalise on. Interest is high in the Frenchman – should Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang depart Borussia Dortmund, the German club will no doubt look to land a replacemen and who better than the Lyon hitman.
This is why Arsenal must move fast. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has already confirmed he’s rejected €40 million offers for the 25-year-old, whilst the Ligue 1 club probably won’t sell their star player for anything less than €60m.
With 129 goals in 275 appearances in all competitions for Lyon, he’s one of the most prolific forwards in the modern game.
#3 Henry Onyekuru
Regarded as one of the hottest players in Belgian football, KAS Eupen’s Henry Onyekuru has confirmed he has received an offer from Arsenal, whilst the Nigerian is attracting the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Liverpool.
Playing predominantly as a wide player, Onyekuru has scored 24 goals in 41 games in all competitions for the Belgian club, a stat that the 20-year-old can certainly be proud of.
According to various reports, the Nigerian has a £6.8 million buy-out clause.
"It’s a good feeling for a club like Arsenal to make a bid for me, this is due to my hard work in training and games," Onyekuru told the Nigerian Football Federation. "Thierry Henry has always been my idol since I was a kid.”
#4 Kylian Mbappe
The first of two AS Monaco players Arsenal are reportedly chasing. The Gunners are ready to offer the French club a staggering £120 million to land Kylian Mbappe – a vast sum of money for any type of player. Is the newly-capped France international worth it? In today’s modern game, he’s worth every penny.
With 26 goals in 44 appearances, the now 18-year-old broke Thierry Henry’s record as the youngest scorer for Monaco, whilst Mbappe shone to fame in the Champions League with his two goals against Manchester City.
Should Arsenal miss out on Alexandre Lacazette, they should go all out for Mbappe.
#5 Djibril Sidibe
With increasing talk of Hector Bellerin returning to Barcelona, Arsenal look increasingly weak in the right-back area. With Mathieu Debuchy also on the verge of departing, that would leave Wenger with youth players.
After strengthening the left-back position with Sead Kolasinac, Wenger can do no wrong in bringing Monaco’s Sidibe to the Emirates. It’s worth mentioning that Arsenal almost landed the Frenchman last summer but the deal fell through at the last moment and Sidibe ended up signing for the Ligue 1 champions from Lille.
Like Bellerin, the 24-year-old likes to get forward whenever possible. Although very similar players, Sidibe is much better defensively. Given that Arsenal have switched to three at the back in recent games, Monaco’s right-back would be the perfect fit in this Arsenal squad.
