Premier League 2017/18: 5 signings Arsenal need to make to win the Premier League

ROME, ITALY - MARCH 16:  Alexandre Lacazette of Olympique Lyonnais in action during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Roma and Olympique Lyonnais at Stadio Olimpico on March 16, 2017 in Rome, Italy.  (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images )
On the brink of joining Arsenal

Some clubs take pleasure in the fact that they breed talent rather than purchase it for big money from the other clubs. Ajax, for one, fall in that category. Monaco, too. Arsenal fell in this category once as well. However, since most Premier League clubs are splashing the cash for some of the best players in the world, it has become an obligation for Arsene Wenger to spend in order to stay competitive

This window is going to the most important one of the French manager’s life as his legacy depends on it. If Arsenal can pull off deals for 3-4 of the players that they are being linked to, they will be back to the pedestal of glory.

On that note, here are five players Arsenal should look at to be great again.

#1 Alexandre Lacazette

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Legend has it that the signing is closer to completion than ever before as Mr Wenger is ready to shatter his transfer record to bring in the Lyon man. Lacazette has been plying his trade in France for a long time now and this move to a bigger club/league was supposed to have happened a long time ago, now it finally appears to be on the verge of fulfilment.

According to Lyon president, Jean Aulas, the player is on his way to North London—and God knows they needed him. The argument some use against him is that he hasn’t succeeded in displacing Olivier Giroud in the France national team, so how could he do the same at the Emirates.

For starters, he has a better scoring ratio than Giroud. Last season alone, Lacazette ended up with 37 goals to his name from 45 games. He has scored 129 goals in 275 games in France, compared to Giroud’s 98 in 226 games in England.

Quite often do we see a lot of Arsenal fans bemoaning the dearth of Giroud’s finishing abilities. With Lacazette, they are getting a footballer at the peak of his powers and with a good scoring sense. And that’s what really wins titles, don’t they?

#2 Riyad Mahrez

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The Moroccan has become somewhat of a forgotten hero as Leicester City failed spectacularly to defend their Premier League crown. And Riyad Mahrez faced a similar fate to that of his club. Not that he had an entirely bad season, but it was nowhere near to what he showed during the Foxes’ miraculous campaign.

Nevertheless, talent doesn’t fade away within the space of a season and under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, it might just be the break that he needs. The North London club still lack the perfect inside forward to complement Alexis Sanchez—and Mahrez could be that man.

With Sanchez on the left, Mahrez on the right and Ozil in between them, it would be a treat for the striker in front of them. Now, if only they have a forward who can bury the chances given to him. Oh, wait, they just might have one now.

#3 Radja Naingollan

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How he still isn’t a player of a big European club is a mystery to many. The Belgian of Indonesian descent is one of the most complete midfielders in the game who is blessed with almost everything. Be it speed, aerial ability, defensive awareness and attacking audacity, the Roma man has everything one could want from a midfielder.

Given that the Arsenal midfield lacks a character like Patrick Vieira ever since the Frenchman moved, Radja Naingollan could fill that hole by his tormenting presence in the middle. Not only does he add genuine quality to the team, but he also gifts them with astute mental strength and leadership abilities from the middle.

And Arsenal need a character like that, someone who can lead from the pitch while also being a wonderful player. Paul Pogba commanded a huge fee due to his ability to do almost everything, but Radja deserves to be talked of in the same bracket.

#4 Pepe

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This might be a very unpopular opinion for the Gooners, but Pepe is the type of player that should be there in a team that aspires to win a lot of trophies. The Portuguese’s trophy cabinet is a testament to the earlier claim.

Now, he had a terrible reputation of going wild on the pitch. It was his vicious temper that saw him assault then Getafe player, Javier Casquero, back in 2009. He was also seen stamping on Lionel Messi’s hand on purpose, something that damaged his reputation even further.

After that incident, however, things have been quiet on his front and his disciplinary stats in the last few years are a testament to that fact. Being 34 years, his best years might be behind him, but he can still put in a great shift whenever asked to. Relying heavily on his insane positional awareness, Pepe can also put in a good tackle when need be.

And above all that, Arsenal will be signing a leader that can ooze his winning mentality onto the other players. And for free.

#5 Kylian Mbappe

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And the crown jewel of football, the most sought-after player in Europe, the one many claim will be THE best player in the world in the future, Kylian Mbappe is a star on the rise. After only becoming a first-team regular in November last year, he hasn’t looked back and has forged his way up to stardom.

After breaking numerous records in his short time in competitive football, Mbappe seems destined for greatness and Arsenal seem to be among the main clubs that want to be a part of that greatness. While a host of other clubs, including Real Madrid and PSG, are after his signature, the player can, according to reports, join Arsenal due to the presence of Arsene Wenger.

Despite being only 18, he has shown an incredible amount of maturity whenever he has played as his decision-making is a cut above the rest of the youngsters. And it shows. Not only does he have great ball-control skills, he also knows when to go for the finish or when to pass to his team-mates.

And being only 18, Arsenal will get many years of football out of him. He can be their new Henry and lead the Gunners to a new era of glory.

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Edited by Staff Editor