Arsenal: Julian Draxler And Other Signings For 2017

Arsenal’s 2016 has been up and down, so looking forward to 2017, here are some signings that they can make to make 2017 even better.

In review, 2016 was hardly a successful year for Arsenal Football Club. Leicester became the unexpected Premier League Champions, European giants scuppered their Champions League progress and their defence of the FA Cup came up short.

Nevertheless, the first part of the new Premier League season was one filled with promise. The Gunners showed characteristics that haven’t been seen for a while; a resilience, and an ability to grind out results. A huge part of this early season success, the immensely deep squad that Arsene Wenger has constructed. There are match winners, gladiators, and athletes galore in a squad which will hopefully challenge on multiple fronts come the end of this season.

However, a new calendar year means alterations. A change in attitude and an inevitable change in personnel. Wenger will undoubtedly purchase some young undeveloped talents, but there a few players who would add significant firepower to the Arsenal arsenal.

A versatile defender comfortable playing either full-back positions, Djibril Sidibe supposedly rejected a move to the Emirates prior to completing a move to AS Monaco last summer. He cited the fact that he wanted to establish himself as a right-back – whereas Arsenal supposedly wanted to deploy him at left-back – as the rational behind his decision.

Since arriving from LOSC Lille, Sidibe has flourished and his performances have resulted in a prominent role in the French international setup.

Sidibe wasn’t willing to join over the summer, but he clearly stated his desire to engage in Premier League affairs as early as next season. The Gunners would be delusional not to try and secure the signature of the French international again in 2017, as he would challenge both Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal/Kieron Gibbs for first-team action, and allow for Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson to be sold.

The rumours linking Arsenal with Julian Draxler have been ever-present since January 2014, when the German was pulling the strings for Schalke. Nonetheless, nothing transpired and Arsenal subsequently purchased Mesut Ozil that very summer.

(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

The development of certain circumstances could lead to the acquisition of Draxler in 2017. The Wolfsburg midfielder supposedly wants out and Mesut Ozil only has 18 months left on his contract. If Ozil signs a new contract, Draxler could slot in as his primary backup, or move outside and play as a creative winger. If Ozil decides to move on to pastures new – which I sincerely hope he does not – Draxler could replace his German international teammate.

PSG are also reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the 2014 World Cup winner, so Arsene Wenger may have to throw his weight around to bring Draxler to the Emirates.

Some might argue that he is not good enough for Arsenal, but I firmly believe that obtaining Romelu Lukaku would be a wise move for the Gunners.

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He hasn’t replicated his majestic form from last season Riyad Mahrez would be the icing on the cake. A challenger for Theo Walcott and someone for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi to admire, Mahrez would only add more pace into the Gunners counter attack and another goalscoring weapon.

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For all that, one thing is for certain. When it comes to Arsenal transfer rumours and dealings, only one thing is certain. Frustration.

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