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Arsenal have made improvements since Mikel Arteta was appointed manager in December but he will be expecting the team to progress further next season and narrow the gap on the top sides in the Premier League.

In order to do so, the Gunners will have to bolster their squad with reinforcements during the summer transfer window. Like all top clubs, Arsenal will have scouts dotted around the globe, including in Germany to keep tabs on the Bundesliga’s best prospects.

Arsenal have shopped around Germany with some success recently, signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bernd Leno, Sokratis Papastathopolous and Granit Xhaka from various Bundesliga clubs over the past few seasons.

Here are five Germany-based talents Arteta could look to sign.

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Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)

The towering Frenchman was reportedly high on Arsenal’s transfer wishlist last summer before the club opted to spend a large chunk of their budget on Nicolas Pepe instead.

Staying put at Leipzig has worked out well for Upamecano, though, as he has developed his skills and tactical understanding further under renowned coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Upamecano has thrived in Nagelsmann’s possession-based system, completing the eighth-highest number of passes in the Bundesliga, while his regular forays into midfield are highlighted by his 23 successful dribbles from centre back.

According to German publication BILD, Upamecano has decided to leave Leipzig in the summer and Arsenal may be interested to discover that he has a reported €60m release clause.

Arne Maier (Hertha)

The 2019/20 campaign hasn’t been easy for the young German. A knee injury sustained last April kept him out for much of the first half of the season and on his return he couldn’t force his way back into the starting XI.

Frustrated by his situation, Maier wanted to quit Herta in January. He said at the time: "I'm really grateful to Hertha and have many fond memories of the last 12 years here. But at the moment, leaving is simply the best solution.”

Hertha didn’t grant Maier’s request, and for good reason. When fully fit the 21-year-old is an elegant midfielder, one who can start attacks or play defence-splitting passes. He can play as a six or a ten and has also been tried out as a libero by Germany under-21 coach Stefan Kuntz.

Maier has been scouted by Arsenal in the past and with question marks over his future in the German capital, the club may look to reignite their interest in the summer.

Denis Zakaria (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Another Bundesliga midfielder likely to be on Arsenal’s transfer wishlist is Borussia Monchengladbach’s highly-rated Denis Zakaria.

The 23-year-old has followed a similar career trajectory to that of Arsenal’s very own Granit Xhaka, starting out in his native Switzerland before signing for Gladbach in his formative years to develop his game in a stronger league.

Perhaps Zakaria could follow Xhaka by making the Emirates his next destination. A combative, dynamic central midfield player, Zakaria ranks top in Gladbach’s squad for tackles (49), second for interceptions (41) and fourth for successful dribbles (59).

Arsenal are in need of adding some bite and energy to their midfield and Zakaria seemingly ticks all the boxes.

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Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen)

It’s not easy to stand out in the Bayer attack given it also contains Kai Havertz and Leon Bailey, yet Diaby has impressed since joining the club last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.

An exciting winger who can play off either flank, Diaby was slowly integrated into the Leverkusen side, but since November has been almost ever-present. The French under-21 international has thrived in the second half of the campaign.

Diaby has struck four goals and claimed five assists in 2020 and was instrumental in Bayer’s defeat of Rangers in their Europa League last-16 first-leg victory.

(Image: Marc Atkins - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Nicolas Pepe aside, Arsenal’s squad is a bit light of wingers with star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shunted out to the left for much of the campaign and a player with Diaby’s profile would suit Arsenal’s needs quite nicely.

Joshua Zirkzee (Bayern Munich)

The young Dutch striker’s senior debut couldn’t have gone much better. Thrown on in the dying moments against Freiburg with the score at 1-1, Zirkzee scored with his first touch to win the game for the Bavarian giants.

On his second appearance, he struck again. And as things stand, the 18-year-old has three goals and an assist from his five Bundesliga appearances.

It’s an impressive record but Zirkzee is going to have to bide his time at Bayern, especially with Robert Lewandowski enjoying one of the most prolific campaigns of his career.

Should Zirkzee decide to move on in a bid to secure more regular football, a switch to north London could appeal, particularly with rumours circulating around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s long-term future.