Arsenal: 3 ways front three can look next season

1. Both Lacazette and Aubameyang leave

If both Lacazette and Aubameyang leave, Arteta may have to entirely restructure his attack. It is reasonable to assume that Pepe would continue on the right flank. He is the most talented of the group and would be expected to take a step forward in his second year at the club. The other two positions, however, would be wide open.

The pair’s exit would force Arsenal into the transfer market, but where might the club spend? The answer likely depends on how Arteta views the young players at his disposal. Does he see Nketiah and Martinelli as sufficient to man the centre-forward position role? Or does he believe that Saka, Nelson and a moonlighting Martinelli are more capable at left-wing?

Whichever side of the coin he falls, Arsenal will spend on the other. Given Arteta’s trust in Saka, clear admiration for Nelson, and the positional versatility of Martinelli, who offers depth out wide and through the middle, in this instance, the Gunners would likely invest in a new striker, with KAA Gent’s Jonathan David a major possibility.

This would represent a wholesale change in the front three positions, which is perhaps more radical than many expect and would be somewhat surprising. Nevertheless, it serves to show just how uncertain Arsenal’s attacking positions are entering the summer window.