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Arsenal endured a very tough spell last season. The Gunners finished 8th in the Premier League and will not be competing in Europe next season. Arsenal will also be without Champions League football for a fifth consecutive season.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has now begun work to improve on his side's performance last season and has begun recruitment to strengthen the side. Arsenal have already made three signings this summer and are reportedly still in the market for more.
The north London club first signed young left-back Nuno Tavares from Portuguese side Benfica. Arsenal then paid €17.5 million to Anderlecht for 21-year-old Sambi Lokonga. Arsenal's biggest signing this summer, however, is Brighton's Ben White as they paid €58 million to sign the central defender.
Amongst the outgoings, 34-year-old David Luiz was the first to exit the Emirates side after his contract at the club expired. Real Madrid loanees Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard have returned to Spain after their loan spell.
Matteo Guendozi and William Saliba have also left Arsenal with both men joining Olympique Marseille for loan spells.
More business is still expected to be conducted by Arsenal during this window. Players like Lucas Torreira and Willian are both expected to leave the club. Midfielder Granit Xhaka was on course to join Serie A side Roma but the deal looks off as the Swiss is reportedly close to signing a new contract at Arsenal.
Arsenal are also looking to bring in a creative midfielder ahead of next season. Martin Odegaard and Leicester's James Maddison have been mentioned in the press but nothing concrete has developed. However, Arsenal are expected to get in at least one more signing before the season commences.
On that note, we predict what Arsenal's lineup could look like when the season starts next month.
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
The Sheffield United goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks. The Gunners had Matt Ryan as a backup to Bernd Leno last season. The Australian goalkeeper has however returned to Brighton after his loan spell ended and now Arsenal are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper.
Ramsdale was one of Sheffield United's best performers in their disastrous Premier League campaign last season which saw them get relegated. The Englishman managed the third-most saves per game in the Premier League last season with an impressive 70% success rate.
Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno still has a few years left on his contract, however, Mikel Arteta is keen on adding a new goalkeeper. Ramsdale should secure a starting spot if he signs for Arsenal.
Defense
Right-back: Max Aarons
Max Aarons has received numerous interest from top teams across Europe in recent months, with Bayern Munich and Manchester United both reportedly keen on the Englishman. Both teams have since moved on to other options and Arsenal could have a free run at acquiring Aarons.
Aarons was promoted to the Norwich first-team set-up in 2018 and has gone on to make 130 appearances for the Canaries. The 21-year-old is predominantly a right-back but can also play at left-back.
Arsenal are currently looking to sell Hector Bellerin this summer and would need to replace the right-back should he depart. Cedric Soares is the only other option for the role and Aarons would have no problem entering the starting XI at Arsenal.
Centre-back: Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes joined Arsenal from Ligue 1 outfit Lille last summer and went on to make 32 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.
With David Luiz out of the side and William Saliba out on another loan spell, competition for minutes at centre-back has been significantly reduced. Gabriel should therefore secure a place in the starting XI for Arsenal.
Centre-back: Ben White
Arsenal completed a £58 million deal for Ben White in July, making the 23-year-old their fourth most expensive signing ever.
White was a regular for Brighton last season, making 36 appearances in the Premier League for the Seagulls. He made the most interceptions for a defender at Brighton with 1.7 per game, higher than any Arsenal central defender last season. He also made the second-most progressive passes in the Premier League for a centre-back.
White's impressive showings for Brighton saw him included in the England squad for Euro 2020. The new signing would be a starter for Mikel Arteta in defense.
Left-back: Kieran Tierney
Tierney joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019. His debut campaign, however, was interrupted by a major injury midseason. He returned to full fitness last season and went on to make 38 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions.
The Scotland international had the most goal involvements from defense for Arsenal last season, scoring once and assisting three. The 24-year-old was a member of the Scotland side at Euro 2020.
Tierney will have to compete for the left-back spot in Arsenal's starting XI with new signing Nuno Tavares. He should, however, come out on top for most of the season.
Midfield
Central midfielder: Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey made a deadline day switch from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal last summer. Although injuries really disrupted his season, Partey was very influential for Arsenal on occasion.
Partey completed the most dribbles per game from the midfield for Arsenal in the Premier League with an outstanding 79% success rate. He also made the most tackles in the team as he was very dominant both in attack and defense.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping Partey can stay injury-free next season and deliver even more for Arsenal.
Attacking midfielder: James Maddison
Arsenal are on the search for a creative force in midfield and Leicester City's James Maddison has been mooted as a potential target.
Maddison made 31 Premier League appearances for Leicester City last season. The Englishman averaged the most shots per game in the league for all Leicester City midfielders. He also created the most chances for the team for a third consecutive season.
Leicester City are in no hurry to sell Maddison as the 24-year-old still has a contract that runs until 2024. Arsenal are however keen on the midfielder and are expected to push strongly for his signing before the transfer window closes.
Attacking midfielder: Emile Smith Rowe
The Arsenal youngster secured a place in Mikel Arteta's plans last season. Having been out on loan twice, Emile Smith Rowe remained at Arsenal last season and put in highly encouraging performances for the Gunners.
Smith Rowe made 20 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal last season, 33 in all competitions. The 21-year-old scored two goals in the league and assisted four times. The Englishman also created the most chances per game for Arsenal in the league.
Emile Smith Rowe's performances for Arsenal last season saw the club reward him with a five-year contract in July. He was also handed the number 10 jersey further affirming Arsenal's confidence in the youngster.
Attack
Right-winger: Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was one of Arsenal's best performers last season. The youngster constantly put in outstanding displays for his side even during tough periods of the season.
Saka made 32 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal last season, scoring five goals and providing three assists. He created the most chances in the league for the north London club. The 19-year-old also completed the most dribbles per game for Arsenal.
Saka represented England at Euro 2020 in the summer and was a key player in the Three Lions' route to the final. He should return to the starting XI for Arsenal next season.
Striker: Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan are currently in a dire financial situation and therefore need to sell players. Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has now been offered to Arsenal in recent weeks and the Gunners are interested in the 23-year-old.
Martinez appeared in every league game for Inter Milan in their Serie A triumph. He scored 17 league goals for Inter Milan, the second most at the club. The Argentine also averaged the most shots per game.
Inter Milan are very willing to negotiate a transfer with Arsenal for Lautaro Martinez and a move this summer looks feasible.
Left-winger: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Arsenal captain endured a very tough campaign last season. Aubameyang scored just 15 goals in 39 games, his lowest tally since the 2010/11 season.
Injuries and tactical decisions at Arsenal played a big part in Aubameyang's slump in form last season. He was diagnosed with malaria towards the end of the season. The Gabonese also had to play majorly from the left-wing as Alexandre Lacazette occupied the striking role.
Aubameyang will be looking to put last season's struggles behind him. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would also be looking to play Aubameyang in his natural number 9 position so as to get the best out of the 32-year-old.
