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Arsenal have a squad that is not worthy of challenging for the league right now. They are clearly not even good enough to be in the top 5.
Arsene Wenger, who is probably the main person that needs to be replaced at Arsenal, has a very big task on his hands. He needs to go all out and sign big money players this summer who can help them challenge for silverware once again.
To do that, he needs to identify the main areas he needs to improve and also the players he needs to replace. On that note, here is a look at 5 players who should ideally be replaced by Arsenal:
#5 Petr Cech
Petr Cech is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He is a Chelsea and Premier League legend but will not be known as one of the best at Arsenal.
The Czech international had a good first season at the club but since then, he's been on a decline. He is just not able to save the shots fired at him these days and should be replaced by Arsenal as a priority.
David Ospina is currently their second choice and he too isn't good enough to replace him. If Arsenal don't spend on a goalkeeper this summer, they might as well forget about the UEFA Champions League for another season.
#4 Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla is one of the most underrated players in the world. His presence on the pitch for Arsenal was so important to the team that no one has managed to replicate that for the Gunners.
The Spaniard was good creatively and defensively but his injuries have kept him out for long periods of time. It's been so long that one actually needs to google to find out when he last played a game.
Some fans and almost all of the rival fans would have all but forgotten that the little Spaniard is still at the club. Thus, signing his replacement is a must for Arsenal. Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere and Mohamed Elneny together have not managed to fill his boots, and that makes you wonder who in the world can do that right now.
#3 Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker might be slow and he might be mocked a lot for that, but one can't really deny that he does not possess the other qualities one looks for in a defender. The German is set to retire at the end of this season and begin a career in coaching at the Arsenal academy.
The centre-back might not have played a lot in the last 2 seasons, but his replacement just cannot be Callum Chambers and/or Rob Holding. The two are just not good enough and Arsenal need to spend some money and get someone – one with the personality of a defender – not someone who's just there because he's been told to be there.
Stefan de Vrij is available for a free transfer, but in my opinion, it could either be Manchester United's Chris Smalling joining them for £25 million this summer, or maybe even Chelsea's Gary Cahill.
#2 Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere is probably the only player at the club who still plays for the badge. No one else at the club seemingly has the heart and passion like he does, but his contract is coming to an end.
He's a proper Arsenal product but the issue with Wilshere is that he's plagued by endless injuries. He has got a lot of potential, but he still hasn't reached his peak because he has constantly been suffering from injury after injury.
Arsenal will find it very, very difficult to find a player with his passion for the club but that shouldn't be the main criteria they should be looking for. His commitment and ability to make his presence felt on the pitch can be matched by a lot of players.
#1 Shkodran Mustafi
Shkodran Mustafi has easily been one of the worst players for Arsenal this season. He has made so many mistakes that have lead to goals.
If Arsenal had to get just sell one and buy one player this summer, they have to sell Mustafi. The Jesse Tyler Ferguson look-alike has been defending like he's actually Mitchell Pritchett from Modern Family and not the footballer that he actually is.
In short, Arsenal need a squad overhaul this summer. If that does not happen, Wenger will certainly be leaving the club in a very bad state for the next manager, and we will continue seeing empty seats at Emirates throughout next season as well.
