Arsenal must fix three areas this summer after Champions League shortcomings

Arsenal's painful Champions League final defeat is likely to sting for some time, and perhaps even until the Gunners go one better in their pursuit of European glory.

There is no worse way to lose than at the hands of a penalty shootout, knowing that you were so close, but Mikel Arteta and his men must heal and move on, and the Premier League trophy parade celebrations will surely have helped.

The World Cup aside, attention will soon turn to next season, when Arsenal will want to defend their Premier League crown and finally win their first Champions League, but what must be fixed in the transfer window for them to achieve it?

Right-back

Let's kick this off by saying Arsenal already have an ultra-talented squad, and that most of these issues are not weaknesses, but rather areas that can still be improved.

The first is the right-back spot, and the Champions League final told us why. Ben White and Jurrien Timber are both strong options, and Cristhian Mosquera can do a job, but it's not his best position.

But when it comes to stopping the very best in the world, players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the biggest stage, you feel as though Arsenal could do with more. You look at Piero Hincapie on the other side and ask, are Arsenal as good on the right as they are on the left? Even with White, that answer is likely no, and so it's an area that can be improved, even if it's a case of bringing in better competition and getting more out of the current right-backs.

Left wing

This position has been the bane of the Arsenal recruitment department for some time. The Gunners have some good options, be it Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and even Noni Madueke can play on that side.

But they don't have a Bukayo Saka-level option, and they know they need to get better if they want to build a more complete attack. Going into this summer, Arsenal are expected to commit a significant part of their summer investment to sign a proven left winger, and that should come as no surprise.

Striker

The final spot where Arsenal need to improve is up top. Arteta loves Kai Havertz for what he offers as a positional player, while Viktor Gyokeres has been steady enough in front of goal. But you feel the Gunners need a dangerous striker who puts fear into the opposition.

Maybe that will come from Gyokeres, but it isn't there yet, as was shown by his benching for the Champions League final. In this day and age, you likely need three solid strikers to be able to compete for a treble or quadruple, and Arteta likely knows that after this season.

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