How to fix Arsenal’s transfer situation: Tactics, targets and squad options for Mikel Arteta
Arsenal may have shown plenty of bottle to rescue a point against London rivals Chelsea in midweek, but Mikel Arteta’s squad still requires major surgery.
The Gunners are well off the Champions League pace and, if their inconsistent form continues, they could soon be facing up to an underwhelming mid-table finish.
With the north London club seemingly characterised by both a leaky defence and mental fragility, where does Arteta even start?
The Spaniard’s arrival has led to an upturn performances – if not a spectacular run of results – but he is yet to add to his first-team squad this month.
He will, of course, be keen to put his own stamp on the Emirates Stadium landscape. However, bringing in new players with the club so clearly at a crossroads means negotiations are going to be anything but straightforward.
Some deadwood may also need to be cut loose before he is able to spend as lavishly as grew used to at the Etihad Stadium as part of Pep Guardiola‘s coaching staff. Shkodran Mustafi, we’re looking at you.
Prize assets must also also be retained as a matter of priority with star players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already beginning to be linked with pastures new.
So, with Arteta’s transfer to-do list set to burst, we’ve had a crack at assessing how he can put out some of the fires threatening to extinguish Arsenal‘s season.
Are Dayot Upamecano and Jerome Boateng good options in defence? Would Sheffield United’s John Fleck fit in? Could Dries Mertens do a job up front?
Watch the video at the top of the article to see Statman Dave‘s analysis of Arsenal‘s transfer situation.
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