Potential Arsenal XI next season including Barkley & Mbappe

Arsenal are set for a major overhaul this summer and it’s likely to see the Gunners break the three-figure mark for spending in a single transfer window for the first-time.

After spending in excess of £90m this summer, where the stand-out signings included Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi, Arsenal are prepared to splash the cash once again in the close season to improve their chances of success.

The prospect of losing the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also intensify the need for Arsenal to spend big to bring in replacements but it seems that Arsenal already have a plan up their sleeve.

Notable summer targets have been mentioned by the press and it’s left Arsenal’s potential starting XI for next season looking excellently, with big names and top-talents across the board that could see Arsenal mount a challenge for Premier League glory.

We’ve assembled a potential Arsenal side below, which includes five new signings. Do you think this team could win the Premier League?

GK: Kasper Schmeichel

With Petr Cech looking to be past his best and David Ospina falling short of the calibre Arsenal require from a first-team regular, The Daily Telegraph reports that the Gunners are keeping tabs on potential goalkeeping recruits and Kasper Schmeichel is amongst the names on that list.

The 30-year-old Danish international has been a key-part of Leicester City’s heroics over the past two seasons, lifting the Premier League and standing as the hero in the Champions League as the Foxes fought-off domestic struggles to reach the quarter-finals.

With his nation still chasing a potential spot at the World Cup in 2018, Schmeichel will want to be playing at the top-level of the game and Arsenal could provide him with that chance.

RB: Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin hasn’t quite been at his best this season but the young Spaniard still stands as a crucial member of the Arsenal line-up and is one of the first names on the team-sheet. With an outside chance of making Spain’s squad for the 2018 World Cup, Bellerin needs a big season next term.

A lack of competition at Arsenal for Bellerin is a problem but even if new signings in this area are made, which seems likely given that both Carl Jenkinson and Mathieu Debuchy are not expected to stay in North London, the Spaniard will remain a crucial part of the side.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal’s rock in the middle of defence now has added responsibility on his shoulders as he could find himself being one of the only veterans in the Gunners line-up next season and, likely wearing the captain’s armband, he needs to lead Arsenal responsibly.

The defence around him has struggled this season but the Gunners still boast one of the best looking defences in the Premier League. With minor tweaks and alterations, this Arsenal defence has the capability to storm to success and Koscielny will be crucial if that’s going to happen.

CB: Shkodran Mustafi

Shkodran Mustafi’s debut season with Arsenal has certainly been dramatic, as the first few months saw the German World Cup winner avoid defeat before a slide in 2017 has seen him come under criticism. However, it’s worth mentioning it’s still his first year at the Emirates Stadium.

Next year, amongst a rejuvenated defence, Mustafi could excel with Arsenal and his form at the start of the season shows he has the capability to be one of the finest defenders in the Premier League. His partnership with Koscielny is crucial and a stable midfield pairing in front will certainly help, as this season has seen a wealth of changes.

LB: Kieran Tierney

Mentioned by The Daily Telegraph as Arsenal’s prime-target for their left-back spot, the 19-year-0ld Celtic defender could hand the Gunners a boost for the next decade if he was to leave the Scottish champions for a move to the Premier League.

It’s clear Arsenal need strengthening at left-back, with Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs both looking shaky, and Tierney has the capability to jump straight into the Gunners XI- or play a rotational role for next season before growing into first-choice.

CM: Granit Xhaka

Another summer signing who has struggled to find consistency, Granit Xhaka has been criticised for his disciplinary record. Whilst that does need improve, the Swiss international has certainly struggled to cope with irregular partners in the centre of midfield.

Next season, Arsenal need to make sure they have an identified first-choice midfield pairing for the campaign and Xhaka will be a crucial part of the side- providing the link between defence and attack whilst mopping up any danger on the counter.

If Arsenal ensure that the wingers track back and the full-backs don’t leave the defence wide open, Xhaka’s disciplinary record should certainly improve and it could put Arsenal on the path to something special.

CM: Aaron Ramsey

Identified by us as the man who should stand as Arsenal’s first-choice partner for Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey faces a huge season next year- especially if Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere all leave the club.

Ahead of a World Cup year, where Ramsey will hope for qualification with Wales, the former Cardiff City man needs to start putting in the performances at club level that he does for Chris Coleman’s side. With a consistent spot, Ramsey could thrive and develop into a crucial part of the side- potentially standing as a future captain.

RM: Theo Walcott

Like Ramsey, Theo Walcott could find himself with added responsibility next season and, after a decade with the Gunners, he needs to stand-out. A 17-goal season so far has impressed but consistency has been an issue, though he has again struggled with injury.

As a start on the right-hand side next season, Walcott could form part of an exciting attacking trident that could see the two wide-players drift centrally and create havoc amongst the defence. Tracking back is also vital but this tactic, which could see Arsenal adjust to a 4-3-3 mid-match, could prove to be a turning point.

CAM: Ross Barkley

The Daily Telegraph states Arsenal have joined the hunt for Everton’s 23-year-old Ross Barkley and the England international could be a vital signing- particularly if Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wilshere both leave, which would reduce Arsenal’s home-grown contingent in North London.

A potential departure for Mesut Ozil could see Barkley come into the attacking midfield role at Arsenal but, crucially, his position can be adjusted- either dropping back into a three-man midfield in a 4-3-3 formation, or playing alongside Granit Xhaka with Aaron Ramsey in the number ten role.

This fluidity would give Arsenal alternative tactics that Mesut Ozil cannot provide, as his involvement is limited in a deeper role, but the movements of this Arsenal attacking quartet would make them a real handful.

RM: Kylian Mbappe

One of the shining names in European football right now, 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe has been compared to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and The Daily Mirror states the Gunners have placed the Monaco teenager near the top of their summer wish-list.

Capable of playing wide or centrally, Mbappe could mimic Theo Walcott on the opposite flank by drifting centrally to cause problems for the opposition defence but he’s just as capable hugging the touch-line and playing crosses in centrally.

Mbappe is another player who would work in a 4-3-3 formation too, which could finally get the best out of a talented Arsenal squad.

ST: Alexandre Lacazette

The final name in our potential Arsenal XI next season is another target mentioned by The Daily Telegraph, who state the Gunners are keen to bring the 25-year-old French forward to the Emirates Stadium from Lyon.

Heavily tracked in recent years, Lacazette may feel it’s finally time for a transfer with his Ligue 1 side struggling to compete and sitting way off the top-three. At Arsenal, Lacazette would be a key-player and his addition completes a devastating looking Arsenal front-three.

With Theo Walcott and Kylian Mbappe to support, as well as Ross Barkley pushing forward from midfield, Lacazette should have plenty of scoring opportunities and his clinical nature could be the catalyst to push Arsenal towards success.