After a bittersweet season which saw Arsenal break their unenviable 9 year run without silverware and improve their points tally on the previous season. The Gunners, however, are now the only team to lose the Premier League title after having it in their hands over the Christmas period and haven't made a significant run in Europe since 2006 despite qualifying for the following 8 tournaments.
Although Arsenal had a strong squad going into the January window they were still lacking a second striker to add another dimension to the squad and give Giroud the chance to rest. Injuries to Walcott meant Arsenal had very few options in terms of quick, direct players and Ramsey was a key loss as he seemed to be one of the only players willing to overlap and make incisive runs. In hindsight it seems farcical that with the title in their hands, Arsenal didn't take their chance to strengthen their squad and make more of a fight to keep their top spot when they had the chance.
As the summer window is now open it is imperative that Arsenal use this opportunity to the full. Departures of Bendtner, Viviano, Park Chu-Young and Frimpong are positive signs for Arsenal fans as they have been somewhat ineffective for the club and some at times have tarnished their reputation. Other more high profile departures include Sagna, Fabianski, Djorou and Kallstrom. The arrival of Debuchy has resolved the loss of Sagna and Sanchez can be an asset in various attacking positions. It is now left to Arsenal to strengthen their squad and add numbers to their lighter positions.
The best place to start is between the sticks. The departure of Fabianski means Szczesney is now the only first team calibre keeper at the Emirates. Fabianski was a valuable member of the team and offered a genuine rotation option, vital to a team in multiple competitions. Rumours have linked Casillas, Valdes,Ochoa and more recently Ospina. With Casillas and Valdes on the decline and Ochoa keen to stay in France, Ospina looks to be the best of the linked shot-stoppers. There are already reports that a £3m deal is in place to bring Ospina to the Emirates and if he performs to the level he did for Nice and more recently for Ecuador, Szczesney may face a battle to keep his spot.
With the signing of Debuchy thought to be imminent, Arsenal look in similar shape to the prior season, if not better. Jenkinson 's ability to cover, however, is questionable especially with Arsenal's reported budget in excess of £100m and their desire to push on from their FA cup win. Arsenal have been linked to Aurier in recent weeks and if a reasonable price is agreed then I believe he should join the club to be the future right back, even if a 6 or 12 month loan is put in place to give him more first team football. Another more likely option is that Chambers arrives from Southampton as Newcastle and Stoke are reportedly keen on signing Jenkinson. Wenger has shown an interest in Chambers for a while now and it would be no surprise if he was added to the club.
The centre back position has been one of real encouragement with the rise of Koscielny alongside the die-hard Mertesacker. This encouraging show has meant club captain Vermaelen has drifted out of favour and is now being offered the first team football he desires by Manchester United. Wenger has reportedly blocked the transfer so far, but this will run the risk of Vermaelen leaving on a costless when his contracts expires next summer. Regardless to the possible departure of Vermaelen, Arsenal need 4 centre back options as Sagna was capable to cover when needed before his own departure. Possible targets include Manolas, Veltman and Howedes. Manolas or Veltman should be a definite purchase as they can be developed, but are still good enough to make an immediate impact. Howedes should also join them if Vermaelen leaves the club with his wealth of experience and an established relationship with the numerous German internationals within the squad.
The holding midfielder role is another area Arsenal need to work on. Flamini and Arteta are both valuable players for the Gunners, but are likely to decline and struggle to play regular football if significant injuries occur. Diaby has struggled with injuries for another season and Coquelin is yet to reach the dsired standard. Possible additions include Khedira, Bender, Martinez, Schneiderlin . It is probably a bit optimistic to suggest Martinez is a viable option and Khedira seems to be demanding extortionate wages, however, Bender and Scneiderlin both look achievable signings. Schneiderlin has come off the back of a fine season for Southampton ,earning himself a France call up as a last minute replacement. It is believed that the French midfielder is keen on leaving St. Marys and Arsenal is one of his preferred destinations due to European football. Bender has also shown fine form last season, despite admitting it was not good enough for his own standards. Bender also has European experience and wont struggle to settle in with the ever present German presence. Both options are arguably as good as Arteta already and both still have time to develop further at the Emirates, should they be brought in.
In terms of the 3 attacking midfielder, Arsenal have lots of high calibre and interchangeable options. The addition of Sanchez is a very promising sign as the Chilean International can play in various positions and adds a more direct option to the squad. At times last season Arsenal seemed to have too many creative players and not enough direct players looking to overlap and attack the opposition. This seemed to be a problem as walcott was one of the only players who made forward runs with Ramsey who was often injured and Wilshire who only did so on occasion. Wilshire's goal against Norwich last October shows exactly what could happen if more players were overlapping, committing to more phases of play and generally making more direct runs towards goal. Arsenal have been linked with Griezmann, Vela and Di Maria who could all be effective playing in that manor to help the likes of Ozil and Cazorla who are always looking for a killer pass.
Up top Arsenal only have one legitimate option in Giroud, as Sanogo is still developing as a footballer and adapting to the English game. Giroud was phenomenal last season as he consistently scored goals and somehow managed to avoid being yet another Arsenal injury victim. Despite Giroud's ability to finish along with a competence for strong link up play with the midfield, he struggles to run beyond the defenders. Last season Arsenal were crying out for someone to run at defenders and make penetrating runs towards goal, but Giroud is not the man to carry out such tasks due to his skill set. Remy and Benzema have both been linked to the club and both possess the ability to add a more direct approach style of play to the Gunners. Bony and Balotelli have also been linked and despite both being more physical forwards they are more adept than Giroud at running beyond defences and would both be welcome at the Emirates. Alexis Sanchez will, in most parts also cover his issue but with the departure of Bendtner, Arsenal would be wise in recruiting another forward.
In hindsight to last season it would be easy to say that just a clean bill of health will improve Arsenal's squad as they lost many players to injury, particularly Ramsey and Walcott who were extremely effective when fit. Additions in the form of Sanchez, Debuchy and Campbell who returns from a loan spell at Olympiacos should be very useful additions. If all the key areas listed above are addressed and additional signings are made then Arsenal will by all means be capable of challenging for Silverware and adding to their FA cup glory from last season.