How Mikel Arteta’s ruthless transfer decisions could turned Arsenal into a Premier League powerhouse

Arsenal could be favorites to win the Premier League this season, but what about next year?
Lifting the trophy at the end of the season would be a major achievement for the Gunners, who finished fifth last season.
Arsenal are on course to potentially win the league under Getty

No one could have guessed Arsenal would beat Manchester City and Liverpool for the title, but they are currently eight points clear with ten games remaining.
He made Mikel Arteta’s side favorites to go on to win the Premier League for the first time in 19 years.

But can the boss overcome the legendary Invincibles and defend their title? It would require some brutal decisions in the transfer window.
Arteta sticks largely to the same squad every week in the Premier League, relying on continuity to lead them to victory.
And he has had tremendous success this season, but there are still parts of the team that could be improved and could pose a threat to some key current players.

The most pressing problem for Arteta is in midfield, where the Gunners have been linked with several players, including Moises Caicedo, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Eduardo Camavinga. But one transfer that could happen this summer is the arrival of Declan Rice at the Emirates from West Ham, who are reportedly keen on a move.
This could see Granit Xhaka fall and Rice join Thomas Partey to form a hugely powerful midfield partnership.

Not only would the Ghanaian international complement Rice’s style as powerful midfielders, but the two can break lines with their passing to find Martin Odegaard, who has been sensational this season.
But it could mean a cruel end to Xhaka’s time with the team, as Arteta has relaunched his career to become a hugely important player.

Another player who could be left out of the starting XI and feeling bad is Gabriel Martinelli, who has scored 13 Premier League goals this season. Martinelli was deadly in front of Getty’s goal

But Leao could be the long-term answer

However, the Brazilian has made little impact in Europe or in cup competitions where he is yet to score a goal and has just one assist in 10 appearances.
With the arrival of the Champions League, Arteta could turn to Milan superstar Rafael Leao, who has recently been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.

Currently involved in a breach of contract with the San Siro side, his tally of nine goals and ten assists in all competitions is only a fraction of his true capabilities.
And his ability to both create and score could be crucial in the Premier League, with Martinelli having had just two assists all season.

Leao can also play up front or as a second striker, giving Arteta attacking options, while Martinelli’s compatriot Gabriel Jesus could join him on the bench. Injuries have been cruel for the Brazilian this season but a ruthless Arteta can’t rely on players on the touchline and could be looking for a new striker in the transfer market.

Arteta may need to consider other options ahead of time

And there aren’t many hotter attributes this season than Victor Osimhen, who has scored 25 goals in 29 appearances so far – including four in five Champions League games.

This sparked an intense transfer race for his signature, with Napoli desperate to keep the Nigeria international and unwilling to let him go on the cheap.

Manchester United and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in the 24-year-old, but Arsenal could be part of the deal and make him their main striker.

That would give Arteta a sure source of goals, while Osimhen’s strike should give Napoli their first Serie A title since 1990 when Diego Maradona was at the club.

There will be quite a battle for the striker in the summer and one that Jesus hopes Arsenal lose after leaving Manchester City to be the main man somewhere.
Injuries limited the 25-year-old to 16 Premier League appearances, where he scored five goals with Eddie Nketiah in charge.

But while he has done little to influence Arsenal’s form too much, the overcrowded play list has meant Arteta hasn’t had many opportunities to rotate and a new striker could be a priority.

Arsenal could be devastating next season and with a bench from Jesus, Martinelli and Xhaka be a force to be reckoned with.