3 positions for Arsenal to improve in transfer window

The latest look at the table sees Arsenal in fourth place. This international break has given us plenty of time to savour it.

It certainly has not been an easy road thus far, and the road ahead is tougher still. Crucial games against in-form sides will inform fans about how ready this Arsenal team is to challenge top teams in the years to come.

Top four is certainly within reach and with just ten matches left to play this team, while imperfect, are edging ever closer.

Supporters will certainly be excited by how the Gunners have performed, with the ceiling collectively and individually for many in this side astronomically high. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emil Smith Rowe still have room to develop.

3 positions for Arsenal to improve in the summer transfer window to lift the level of the squad and be competing in the Premier League top four regularly

No longer are fans forced to sit and watch aging stars way past their primes. This team will only get better, and it can be better with the help of a particular summer market.

Unfortunately, the teams around Arsenal will not sit still, either. They will continue to strengthen and overhaul their squads, as this club can’t afford to rest on their laurels.

Arteta has used every window possible to alter his squad – with the exception of the recent January – and he will continue to do so. Here are three positions that Arsenal must fill to consistently challenge for top four.

3. Winger

This position may come as a surprise to some. After all, Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have lit the Premier League alight. Martinelli has been a solid starter as well. The problem, however, is that other than these three players, the front positions are not as reinforced as they need to be.

Arsenal could be playing upwards of 50 games next season. The cup competitions and European matches necessitate backups.

With Aubameyang’s move to Barcelona, Nicolas Pepe remains the only senior option at winger in the squad. Arteta must look at bringing in a wide player to rotate.

Right now there is no reliable option. Saka continues to play an incredible amount of minutes because he performs a role nobody else can. What Arsenal need is another fast wide player, someone with presence, who can play on both sides, and is tactically astute. Pepe is not that guy, and while Saka’s position is more than safe, there needs to be someone who can help share some of the duties.

Any prolonged injury to Saka, Smith Rowe or Martinelli would leave those positions remarkably light. Add to that the referees’ willingness to let Saka get mauled every game and the terrifying possibility of being forced to play Granit Xhaka on the front line increases. Arteta has played him everywhere else to fill gaps, so watch him be converted into some outlandish inverted winger next.

As good as his form has been, I am not quite sure if the Swiss could cut it.

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