What do we need?

Morning all.

The World Cup Final takes place on the 19th July. As it stands today, Arsenal’s first pre-season fixture, which is against Girona, kicks off in the Estadi Montilivi Stadium on the 1st August. Four days later, Mikel Arteta and his players will be in Dublin to face Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium before facing Borussia Dortmund back at The Emirates on the 9th.

Players not involved in a summer international tournament usually begin to return around the 5th July so I’d imagine one or two friendly matches will be added yet. Not that many first team players will be back by then but it’s an opportunity for academy players to get involved. Transfer rumours are rife this time of year. Already we’ve been linked to many players, from 16 year old Jeremy Monga to Bruno Guimaraes.

Transfer rumours are rife this time of year. Already we’ve been linked to many players, from 16 year old Jeremy Monga to Bruno Guimaraes. Rumours and truth are two very different things though and we all suspect that player names are just batted around for many reasons other than genuine ones.

Forget names though, after all, we can all play along with fantasy football, let’s think about positions and where you and I think the team/squad needs strengthening.

Personally, I think we need a left winger, a right back and a second striker and that’s before anyone leaves but players will have to leave if we are to strengthen. There’s no room for sentiment if we are to do even better than last season.

Logic suggests Noni Madueke won’t be cast aside after one season, nor will Martin Zubimendi in my opinion and with Myles Lewis-Skelly proving he’s absolutely right for this side, we’re good in midfield I reckon even if Christian Norgaard leaves because we have Mikel Merino.

One of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard will surely leave this summer. I think the left side is an area of weakness. Both players can be brilliant on their day but those days don’t come often enough. Same applies to Gabriel Jesus who needs to move on for himself as much as anything.

Right back is another problem area in my opinion but the club is kind of hamstrung because of the injury to Ben White. Will another club take a risk on him whilst he’s injured? I don’t know but if he stays and we don’t sign another right back, at least we have Marli Salmon coming through. Assuming he’s not set to go out on loan.

Talking of loans, we have Fabio Vieira and Ethan Nwaneri returning from theirs. Apparently a couple of clubs are interested in Vieira which is good news, Nwaneri too but I still hold hope that his present and future remains with Arsenal.

This coming season should see more minutes given to Max Dowman, Premier League champion at just 16 years old. That goal against Everton, brilliant.

Catch up later.