Arsenal: Versatility, creativity critical in Unai Emery summer revolution

As transfer rumours for Unai Emery’s summer revolution at Arsenal build, one thing is becoming increasingly clear about the type of targets: versatility and creativity are critical.

So many Arsenal transfer market rumors, where to begin?

With Aaron Ramsey set for Juventus this summer, who will be taking his place in the starting XI come the start of next season?

Who will replace Denis Suarez? After reports suggest that Unai Emery has grown weary waiting for progress in adapting to the Premier League, a player who could play on the wing and through the middle would be key.

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What will the backline of an Emery shape look like next year? Between ineffective players in the squad like Shkodran Mustafi and Stephan Lichsteiner, and injuries to the likes of Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding, much is in question defensively as well. What too is the Arsenal fate of current loanee at Fulham, Calum Chambers?

Recent reports have linked Arsenal to a pair of Ramsey replacements: Italian international and Cagliari midfielder, Nicolo Barella, AC Milan’s Ivorian maestro, Franck Kessie. Two young players, both in Serie A, only months apart in age, with a similar market value.

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Both the Italian and Ivorian can play from box to box, pass, possess, score and create for others in a faster pace experience. They also each have the ability to act as a proper number 10 to spell Mesut Özil or whoever starts in the central attacking midfield position. As important as it is to replace Ramsey, adding depth across the midfield will be as focal a point.

With Kessie the slightly younger, cheaper and less pursued player, his recruitment would be a key piece added in the Emery era. And with a replacement for Ramsey obtained, further depth and versatility are surely needed.

With that in mind, Suarez is reportedly on the out with Christopher Nkunku of PSG back in focus for Arsenal. The club failed to secure him during the winter transfer market, despite last-minute attempts. Nkunku was one of the most desired targets of Emery’s first winter window, and the Gunners just missed out on obtaining his services from PSG, who do not utilize him with the bevvy of high-class talent available at the Parc des Princé.

Having coached him in Paris, his comfortability with Nkunku to play in the similar role to Aaron Ramsey would be a natural fit. And he has covered at wing-back and on the flanks at times as well. Versatility has long been a deeply valued Emery quality. Nkunku has it in spades.

Finally, reports have linked Arsenal to Argentinian full-back Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax and centre-back Walter Kannemann of Gremio.

As I previously wrote, Tagliafico would be great in adding depth to a great group of full-backs including Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. With Ajax having expressed his value at around £17 million, he would not be cheap, but the 26-year-old would be absolutely worth it. The expression that that group could help to fuel in the years to come could be remarkable.

Kannemann, meanwhile, would be perfect to pair with Sokratis in the middle in a four-man backline. A good understudy for an aging Laurent Koscielny, he would be excellent in rotation with Sokratis, Koscielny and Chambers. While his age at 28 isn’t as enticing, his very affordable evaluation of less than £5 million certainly is.

This list merely adds to the names listed in a previously written contribution, so what does it all mean?

With only an estimated £45 million to spend, deals will have to be cut if the team is to be renewed in the Emery mould. It could explain the mix of reasonably priced defensive targets, to accompany the more expensive youthful midfield additions.

The transfer market will almost certainly see players like Mustafi and Mohamed Elneny sold, while Danny Welbeck’s salary will likely also be off the books after his injury leaves a new contract unlikely. If that £45m can be extended to closer to £65-75m, a good mixture of midfield, wing and defensive recruits can be added.

Acquiring depth and creativity is the key in all of these moves. They all share the thread of allowing Arsenal’s boss to creatively mix and match a starting XI full of youth, expression, pace and pressing. They all share the ability to play in multiple positions fluently so that the squad can feel consistency regardless of who sees the pitch, something that clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool enjoy currently.

The rumor mill is always churning out new speculation. Simply a few names picked from each position of need can help to remake a club’s orientation going into the next season. The depth to compete even handidly across four distinct competitions is what is being built, that that doesn’t occur overnight is the fan’s eternal blight. It is also what makes the final winning result worth working for in the first place. For Arsenal, therefore, there is still much work to be done.