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#3 Mehmet Zeki Celik
Mehmet Zeki Celik was linked with a move to Arsenal in early June this year. The talks seem to have cooled down since then, but the Turkish international would be an amazing addition to Arsenal. Celik has been excellent since joining Lille in 2018 and helped them win the Ligue 1 title last season.
The Turk has just two years left on his current contract and would be available for just around €15 million, which should be well within Arsenal's budget. Celik is a threat going forward which fits perfectly with Arteta's plan but also carries out his defensive duties well.
Celik averaged 3.02 tackles and 1.25 interceptions per game in Ligue 1 last season (as per Fbref). Both numbers prove his ability to win the ball back off dribblers and how well he times his defensive runs.
With him in the team, Lille conceded just 23 times in 38 league matches, with the right-back also scoring three and assisting two goals during the Ligue 1 season. Arsenal have done business with Lille previously, having signed Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Magalhaes. This could give them an advantage if they choose to negotiate for Celik.
#2 Noussair Mazraoui
Just like Mehmet Zeki Celik, Noussair Mazraoui was linked with a move to Arsenal in early June, but the rumors have died down since then. The Moroccan international would be a superb addition to Arsenal, and his excellent technical understanding of the game would suit Arteta's tactical setup.
The Moroccan has a playing style similar to that of Manchester City's Joao Cancelo. He often moves into midfield to bolster the attack centrally, attempting to engage with the channels and provide support going forward.
Mazraoui is in the final year of his Ajax contract. He does not seem interested in extending his stay and Ajax are reportedly prepared to sell him for as low as €10 million. With Arsenal looking to save as much money on transfers as possible, signing him is a no-brainer. Clubs like Bayern Munich have also reportedly shown interest in Mazraoui and Arsenal need to act fast if they are to sign him.
Mazraoui is reportedly so good that Moroccan coach Vahid Halilhodžić often switches Achraf Hakimi's position to either right-winger or left-back to accommodate him in the national team.
#1 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Most Arsenal fans will be surprised to see him on this list and believe he is not good enough to become the club's first-choice right-back. But at a time when the club needs to be saving money wherever possible, they should not make a rash decision and sell a player who has shown tremendous potential.
Due to his limited first-team opportunities, Maitland-Niles looked destined to leave Arsenal permanently at the start of last season, but Arteta managed to convince him to stay on. He ended up going out on loan to West Brom, and although they got relegated, he was a central to whatever little success the team enjoyed.
Despite this slight shift in his career trajectory, Maitland-Niles has shown glimpses of having what it takes to be a first-team regular at Arsenal. Towards the end of the 2019-20 season, he proved that he can play the 'Arteta way,' and helped them win the FA Cup. This versatility is something Arsenal should capitalize on.
Maitland-Niles is still a very raw player, but already has four years of Premier League experience under his belt. After investing so much in his development, it's only fair to give him a chance before deciding to let him leave the club.
