Arsenal 2020/21: Areas for Improvement.

The departure of Arsene Wenger, The arrival of Unai Emery, the sacking of Unai Emery, and finally the return of Mikel Arteta, the two seasons since the change in guard at Arsenal have been less than ideal.

In Mikel Arteta’s short time, there have been vast improvements at Arsenal, but there are still glaring loopholes that need strengthening in the transfer market.

We look at the areas Arsenal need improvement in and talk about suitable players to fill the void.

Area for Improvement: Central Defence

Central defence for Arsenal has been a problem for more than five years now, with the Gunners spending cheap in the market or spending big but with no proper vision to improve their defensive area.

The summer market of 2020 should finally be the time Arsenal solve their defensive issues without messing about in the window.

Player to Buy: Merih Demiral

We talked about Dayot Upamecano as a potential signing for the Red Devils, but the Gunners could also do a lot worse than bringing in the French Centre-Back.

But the player we are going to talk about is Merih Demiral of Juventus. The Turkish CB was fantastic for Sassuolo at the back end of last season, Which prompted the Bianconeri to sign the ex-Sporting Lisbon man. Demiral’s time at Juventus though, has been frustrating for the player as he has only started five league games all season.

Demiral is a monster in the air and a good passer of the ball which would suit Mikel Arteta’s style of play, and due to the lack of game-time, the player would be willing to make a move to north London, and his asking price should also be relatively low, and it’s a move that the Gunners should make.

Area of Improvement: Central Defensive Midfield

Lucas Torreira has been one of the few positives for the Gunners over the last two years; the Uruguayan has filled the void of a destroyer in Midfield that they lacked for a very long time.

Lucas, though, has his injury problems and has repeatedly talked about his difficulties settling in England. It’s possible he may want a move away, pair that with the fact that the 13-time league winners already need bodies in midfield, so it’d be a good time for them to buy a defensive midfielder.

Player to Buy: Pape Gueye

Pape Gueye is another one of the gems produced by the well-renowned academy of Le Havre. The Frenchman is one of the most sought-after central midfield prospects in the world.

Le Havre man averages 3.6 tackles plus interceptions per90, which is more than Lucas Torreira’s 2.5, albeit in a weaker competition. Gueye also has an eye for a pass as he completes 3.8 long balls per90. His positioning is also that of a matured midfield player.

All of those qualities make us believe that he could be a great piece of shrewd business by the Gunners.

Area of Improvement: Creative Midfielder

Mesut Özil has been a great performer for Arsenal Football Club, the German has been one of the best playmakers in Europe for the entirety of 2010s. But the retired international has slowed down with age.

In his best season at Arsenal, he averaged 3.5 key-passes per90. In 2015/16, the same season he created 146 chances in league play which is the highest total in any league since the records began, that has now gone down to 2 key-passes per90 and only 60 chances created in 2018/19.

Therefore, Replacing the German is essential for Mikel Arteta in the summer transfer window.

Player to Buy: Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish this season has been out of this world for Aston Villa, the Englishman has spearheaded the Villans into a position in which they may be able to survive relegation. He has operated from the left of Villa’s attack this season, but his future lies as a creative player in the Midfield.

Grealish has seven goals and six assists in league competition this season, which contributes to 67% of Villa’s goals. He also averages 2.7 key-passes per90, which is only bettered by Kevin de Bruyne. Grealish has age on his side and his goal threat when compared to Mesut Özil.

Sure, Grealish wouldn’t have the freedom he has for Aston Villa at Arsenal, but with quality players surrounding him, he could be an excellent addition for the Gunners.

Area of Improvement: Left Winger

Gabriel Martinelli and Aubameyang have filled in at left-wing for Arsenal this season, while being very prolific from the position the latter is much more dangerous when playing from the centre. Martinelli, much like Aubameyang, has qualities that suit a striker more than a left-winger, and It’s very much likely that one of Alex Lacazette and Aubameyang could be shipped off in the summer. So it’d be obvious to transform Martinelli into a No.9. Bukayo Saka, who has had a great season from left-back, is a natural winger, but the talented Englishman is only 18 years of age, and it’d be a big ask for him to be a starting winger at Arsenal.

So that makes it very much logical to Buy a nourished left winger in the upcoming transfer window.

Player to Buy: Milot Rashica

Milot Rashica is one of the lesser talked about players in Bundesliga at the moment. The Kosovar has been one of the most consistent wide-forwards in the league since the start of the 2018/19 season.

The Werder Bremen man has sixteen goals, and nine assists in 39 starts in league play in that period, which is a pretty impressive tally considering he’s playing for a team currently sitting 19th in the Bundesliga.

Rashica is an impressive dribbler with 2.2 dribbles complete per90, combining that with his goal-threat and his playmaking ability, the Kosovar could be a smart signing for the Gunners.