How Arsenal could line up with new transfer targets. Read more Arsenal transfer news.
Arsenal are being linked with some late transfer business before the summer window closes at the end of the month, with injuries to key players exposing the lack of depth in this current Gunners squad. Arsene Wenger has already spent big this summer on bringing in the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers, though more new faces could still be on their way to the Emirates Stadium in the coming days, according to recent rumours. New additions are needed all over the pitch, and it could be that as many as four new signings are made before the transfer window closes, with one in defence to replace the departing Thomas Vermaelen, one in midfield to cover the injured Mikel Arteta, and possibly two in attack to cover for the injured Olivier Giroud and maybe even replace Lukas Podolski, whose future at the club looks uncertain. Here’s a potential XI Arsenal could field if they bring their targets in:
Goalkeeper and defence:
With Arsenal in need of defensive cover after selling the unsettled Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, it is being rumoured that they have made an approach to Borussia Dortmund for Greek international centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos. The 26-year-old has only been with Dortmund for one season but became a regular for Jurgen Klopp’s side and looks a good option to come in as a squad player for Arsene Wenger. With 51 caps for the Greek national side, Sokratis has also played for big names such as Werder Bremen and AC Milan in his career so far.
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Midfield:
After a long summer of speculation, Arsenal will be hoping to finally do a deal with Sporting Lisbon for Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho, who is widely regarded as one of the top young defensive midfield players in Europe at the moment. The 22-year-old is valued at around £24m and has also been strongly linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea this summer, with United in particular looking like being major rivals for his signature. Still, a signing in this area is a must for Arsenal and Carvalho could make a good alternative to targets such as Sami Khedira and Morgan Schneiderlin that the Gunners have seemingly missed out on.
Attack:
Going by reports from Italy today, Arsenal could be stepping up their interest in signing one or both of two top attacking players from Serie A last season. First in their sights is in-demand Torino forward Alessio Cerci, who can play either upfront or the flanks and whose style of play has seen him compared with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Second is AS Roma’s young striker Mattia Destro, who would likely be a direct replacement for Olivier Giroud as he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury. These players won’t come cheap, but look like making Arsenal’s attack a far more dangerous-looking prospect for the season ahead as they line up alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in this exciting new-look XI. Arsenal XI with signings in full:
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