Coach Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal's board to once again support him when he affirmed that the "Gunners" need to upgrade their squad if they want to become Premier League champions.
The Gunners have started their pre-season tour in the US, but defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will be absent after a knee injury. The Japanese player had to stay at the headquarters as a preventative measure, while Arteta continuously lamented the squad.
The Spaniard knows Arsenal need to have good quality and squad depth to compete with Manchester City. In the last 2 seasons, the "Gunners" have been helpless to watch The Citizens win the domestic championship.
"It's unbelievable because Takehiro Tomiyasu has worked so hard. He had an accident during this week's training session and we still don't know the extent of the injury but to prevent him, we kept him in London" - Arteta said about Tomiyasu's injury.
When one door is closed, another will open. Jurrien Timber joined the Emirates last summer but was injured and almost completely absent from last season. With his fitness back stable, the Dutchman is expected to play well at Arsenal's left-back role.
However, Timber could face competition from Riccardo Calafiori if Arsenal reach a deal with Bologna. The Italian player is the top target of the "Gunners" with a plan to increase the depth of the defense. Even though Calafiori is uncertain to start, this is still the contract Arteta really needs.
The rest of Arsenal's defense has almost stabilized after an impressive 2023-2024 Premier League season. William Saliba and Gabriel are currently the best centre-back pair in the league, while Ben White is gradually adapting to the right-back role.
Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are all four players guaranteed to start for Arsenal if they are fit. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz has left Arteta in a dilemma, despite having a certain influence last season.
Havertz has played well as a false nine, but Man City are the only team to win the Premier League without a serious striker. Therefore, Arteta needs a stable goalscorer next season.
Victor Osimhen is a suitable striker and could lead the Arsenal attack. Napoli has contacted Romelu Lukaku and is ready for Osimhen to leave at a suitable price.
In the case of bringing in a new striker, will Arsenal sell Havertz or continue to trust the German player in the midfielder role? Havertz has the potential to be a quality midfielder, but the problem is his compliance with Odegaard. Using two attacking midfielders at the same time will put more defensive pressure on Rice.
Jorginho has proven himself to be a great partner for Rice in midfield, but not fit enough to play from week to week. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard is more suitable for playing in attack.
In fact, at Man City, Rodri also has no partner but still plays impressively. The problem is the system that Pep Guardiola built, where the players all know how to move the ball without it. This will clearly be Arteta's request for his students in the coming season.
Arsenal's expected lineup for the 2024-2025 season: Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, White, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Martinelli, Osimhen, Saka.
