The Gunners have reportedly identified their main transfer targets and are already in pursuit of some of the biggest talents in world football.

Arsenal and Arsene Wenger to be specific is well known for being a bit cautious in the transfer market in recent years. The Frenchman who has been operating on a very tight budget since the construction of Arsenal’s state of the art stadium, is forced to carefully analyze all his transfer targets and negotiate thoroughly on transfer fees in order to get the best talents at bargain prices.

This season however Wenger seems to be having the financial backing of majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and is looking to build a team which can be capable of challenging for titles next season.

Here are five issues Arsene and his team should address in order to ensure a successful campaign ahead.

 

Competition for Szczesny

Despite of his young age the Polish international has established himself as a first team regular in the Arsenal side. The lanky Pole surely does have talent in abundance but at times seems to get carried away which has cost Arsenal a lot this season.

Some of his antics resulted in Wenger banishing him from the starting eleven which he regained after his compatriot and replacement Lukasz Fabianski was ruled out with a cracked rib. The 22 year old did redeem himself to some extent with excellent performances from then onwards, but it is highly necessary that Arsenal have an experienced goalkeeper in place who can provide stiff competition to Szczesny. The Gunners have already been linked to the likes of Julio Cesar, Victor Valdes and Simon Mignolet, all three of whom will be incredible signings for Arsenal.

Depth in defence

For a club to compete at all fronts, it is highly essential that they have atleast four top class defenders. Whereas Koscielny and Mertesacker have definitely proven their worth, Arsenal do not seem to have any other reliable centre back.

Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen was never able to replicate performances of his debut season at Arsenal. The Arsenal captain suffered a Achilles tendon injury in November 2010 and never returned as the same player. Apart from him Arsenal’s fourth choice centre back Sebastien Squillaci, hardly falls into the bracket of a top class defender. 

Arsenal have been hotly linked to Swansea centre half Ashley Williams who has been very instrumental in everything good the Swans have achieved in recent years, and should add needed depth in the squad.

French defender Bacary Sagna also looks to end his six year sojourn at Arsenal and should he leave Arsenal need to add a competent right back to their ranks.

Add steel in the midfield

Arsenal’s midfield appears to be very lightweight which is a major concern for the Gunners. The Premier League requires players to engage in strong physical battles and it is very important that the Gunners purchase a midfielder of the required stature. 

Even though stand in Captain Mikel Arteta has done a commendable job as a holding midfielder, Arsenal definitely need to dip in the market for another defensive midfielder who can perhaps allow Arsene to implement a plan B.

Arsenal however do have in their squad a midfielder who ticks all the boxes. Abou Diaby is certainly one of the most elegant midfielders in the side and does a terrific job when fit. Unfortunately for him his history with injuries is catastrophic and thus makes him very unreliable.

Purchase a prolific goal scorer

The purchase of Olivier Giroud does provide Arsenal with a plan B, but the Frenchman does not remotely replace the loss of Van Persie. Even though it will be very difficult to replace a striker who has won two consecutive golden boots in the Premier League, with the budget at hand Arsene should perhaps spend big on a quality striker who could guide Arsenal to glory days.

Stevan Jovetic has been widely linked to a move to the Emirates, however the Fiorentina man is hardly an out and out striker. The Gunners have also been linked to want away forward Wayne Rooney, even though the chances are minimal for a transfer to happen, the Gunners will be making a massive signal of intent if they are to sign the England international.

Clear the deadwood

Arsenal have a long list of players who are no longer needed at the club and should be shipped out as soon as possible. The list includes the likes Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh, Andre Sanots, Johan Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner, Sebastien Squillaci, Ju Young Park, Vito Mannone, Emmanuel Frimpong and Denilson.

Clearing out the deadwood can save Arsenal upto 20 million pounds in wages per year and can easily make way for a superstar signing.

Whereas both Andrey Arshavin and Sebastien Squillaci will be out of contracts in the summer and will leave for free, it is important that Arsenal also get rid of the likes of Denilson and  Nicklas Bendtner both of whom have been out on loan for the past two seasons and are nothing less than a liability for the Gunners.