Arsenal’s Five transfer priorities this summer

At the risk of sounding cliche, this summer will be massive for Arsenal. Every summer is massive for a big club, but this one specifically reeks of urgency and serious consideration. Wenger has to get it absolutely spot on, from the signings all the way down to who goes and how much rest each player gets. It will all be integral if Arsenal are to avoid the sluggish start of this campaign. Perhaps even more importantly, to avoid fizzling out toward the business end of the season as well.

Massive, massive season ahead of us. Arsenal have made strides forward yet again and if the club is to continue in its upward trajectory, it starts with proper planning in the summer. Have a look at Arsenal’s top 5 priorities this summer.

Reinforcements

Wenger spoke earlier about the possibility of Arsenal recruitment this summer, saying he would only be interested in top class players. This will come as music to gooners’ ears, as there are expected to be several big names on the market this summer. The likes of Pogba, Cavani, Sterling, Schneiderlin, Jackson Martinez and Lacazette are all reportedly destined to move on from their respective clubs as are plenty more.

Wenger would do well to get his transfer dealings done and dusted soon, so he can bring the squad together soon and start building the chemistry. Arsenal are nearly there, a few big signings will take the club to the next level.

Dead Weight

Wenger will have over 35 players to choose from when all the loan players return to the fold. It is clear that not everyone can stay and the boss will have some decisions to make. The likes of Campbell, Podolski, and Sanogo may all be on the chopping blocks as they can used for makeweights in any potential deals. The same goes for aging and or wounded fringe players such as Rosicky, Flamini, Arteta, and Diaby.

Youngsters may be sent out on loan again (or for the first time if they haven’t been already) and Wenger should only keep the players he rates and thinks will have an impact.

No sense in keeping players you aren’t going to use, why not free up the wage bill and space in the squad?

Keep core intact

Just as important as it is to bring in new players and get rid of the surplus players, keeping the core group of players together is crucial. Arsenal now have the luxury of holding on to their best players due to increased financial capabilities, and no longer have to deal with losing their key players year after year. This makes it much easier to keep the balance in the side, as Wenger no longer has to reconstruct an XI. The strongest players are now established and clear to see, and more importantly enjoy playing with one another.

The squad has gone from strength to strength over the past few seasons, and much of that has to do with the deep understanding the lads have with one another.

Get healthy

Arsenal’s infamous battle with the injury bug is not breaking news by any means, but something that needs to be sorted out nonetheless. The squad has benefited from a relatively clean wage bill towards the latter stages this season, and much attention should be payed to the health of the players over the summer. The likes of Welbeck and Chamberlain (the former has been called up for England) are expected to recover in time for the FA Cup final, which would leave just Arteta and Debuchy as recovering players going into the summer. They should be fit for the start of next season meaning for the first time in a while Wenger will have a full squad to choose from.

Resting players will also be massive, as the lads felt the effect of the World Cup this season. The Copa America will be played this summer, which involve far less Arsenal players than the World Cup did, so Wenger will have the luxury of resting players longer.

Loose ends

Wenger would do well to sort out the contract situations soon as well. Theo Walcott is stalling on his extension while the likes of Rosicky and Arteta are expected to be approached about extending for another year. The boss must have these done and dusted so they do not linger over him as the season runs its course. If extensions can be agreed, great. If not, Wenger should offload them soon and get in replacements. The time for sentiments are over.