With the start of Arsenal's Premier League season only 46 days away, Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar and the rest of the backroom staff at the club will be looking to strengthen in a number of areas.
Here we will be looking at some of the positions that they are currently lighter in, along with ones that have caused slight problems over the last 12 months for one reason or another.
There will be three positions covered and three options for each, one being considered a 'budget' option, another classed as a 'fair deal' and the final one being 'breaking the bank'. This will be based on how much it may cost to bring the signings to The Emirates, and deciding which is the best fit will come down to things such as price, player ability and how they would fit the team.
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Left-back
Left-back has been an issue for Arteta for a number of years. He thought this was solved after the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City back in the summer of 2022. His first season was considered a success, the Ukrainian played the inverted fullback role we have been accustomed to in the Premier League, but last season he saw his game time limited.
Jakub Kiwior, who is traditionally a central defender took his place due to his superior ability in one-on-one situations, as well as being a better all-round defender in general.
Tyrick Mitchell - Budget
Defensive stability is an area Mikel Arteta has clearly focused on when picking his left-back, so looking at the past couple of seasons in the Premier League there are not many who are better in this department than Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell.
The England international ranks in the top 90 percentile for both tackles and blocks when compared to other fullbacks, proving he is one of the best defensive players out there.
The argument against a player like Mitchell would be his attacking output, but that is not the goal for an Arteta fullback. All the while, who is to say Arteta and his coaching team can't improve Mitchell in these areas?
The former Brentford academy man is only 24 years old and has arguably improved in this area every season, and playing in a better team in possession will only help him.
With only a year left on his current deal (with the option to extend for a further year), the price wouldn't be too high for an experienced Premier League defender who has room to improve. Palace may be interested in a sale if a bid of around £20-£30m was on the table.
Rayan Aït-Nouri - Fair deal
Rayan Aït-Nouri offers a lot more attacking output than Tyrick Mitchell and at the same time doesn't fall too far behind defensively, although Mitchell does excel in that area.
While Aït-Nouri's defensive statistics are still strong his attacking attributes are what sets him apart from the rest. Creating 2.51 shot creating actions per 90 for Wolverhampton Wanderers and also making 2.40 successful take-ons each game proving how much of an assist he is going forward.
Another player who is young enough to improve in all areas, while only being 23 and not turning 24 until June next year the Algerian is a player who can be coached and worked on all over his game. He does however have two years left on his contract (With a club option of another year) so will be slightly more pricey and not a player Wolves will look to let go of lightly.
An offer in the region of £40m give or take could be good enough but the midlands side may push their luck to get as much out of the Gunners as possible.
Alphonso Davies - Breaking the bank
The Bayern Munich defender is a wanted man, Real Madrid have considered making a move for the Canadian for the best part of a year now but nothing has yet materialised.
His high energy, speed and composure on the ball would fit Arteta's style perfectly. He may not be the best defender but on the ball and going forward there are very few better.
This is to be taken with a pinch of salt, however, as he plays in one of the best teams in Europe - who dominate nearly every year domestically, so he should be dominant in these areas.
Davies does rank in the top 90 percentile and above in passes attempted, pass completion, progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the opposition box when compared to other fullbacks.
They are some great numbers which cannot be overlooked and a reason the European champions are hot on his tail. He is another player whose contract is up in 2025 and Bayern have somewhat phased him out after his reluctance to sign a new deal.
It would be difficult to get him to choose North London over Madrid, and maybe waiting a year to pinch him on a free could be an option, but going all out for a player like Davies could be a huge statement from Arteta and co.
It would probably take a bid in the region of £50-£60m to get him out of Munich but it may be worth it over time, given he is still only 23 years old.
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Centre/holding midfield
With both Thomas Partey and Jorginho only getting older midfield reinforcements are needed. Party also has admirers in Saudi Arabia and with one year left on his current deal a sale would help the PSR line Arsenal are reportedly close to crossing. Declan Rice last summer was a welcomed addition but that came at a big cost, would spending big on another midfielder be at the top of Arteta's wish list?
Mikel Merino - Budget
The Spanish international has been a target all summer for Arsenal and a move for the former Newcastle man could be on the cards, especially since he only has a year left on his contract. Barcelona are also said to be monitoring the situation but any move will most likely come after Euro 2024 where Merino is representing his country.
Merino could fit into the Arsenal team and take part of the burden off Rice. He put up impressive defensive numbers last season in La Liga with 2.4 tackles per game compared to Rice's 2.2, along with 1.7 clearances, with Rice only having 1.3. Being able to pay with the former West Ham man and also add a rotation option for the English international would be a real asset to Arteta.
Considering the 28-year-old only has a year left on his current deal at Real Sociedad, they may look to cash in on a player who they could eventually lose for free next summer. All things considered, an offer of around £30m could be what it takes to bring Merino back to England.
Martín Zubimendi - Fair deal
Mikel Merino's club teammate, Martín Zubimendi is a player Arsenal have been tracking for a number of seasons, a move was apparently close in January but the Spaniard was keen to stay in Spain to help his team in the Champions League.
This summer has again seen Arsenal closely linked to Zubimendi, and he would fit a lot of the aspects Arteta looks for in a midfielder. While he doesn't exactly stand out in any key metric, what he does well is the unappreciated work and what goes unnoticed by many.
It is a long shot, but some have seen parts of Sergio Busquets in Zubimendi, this being his ability to receive passes and create space reflecting a deep understanding of the game and the art of crafting opportunities.
He would come at more of a cost than his Spanish teammate considering his age and contract length, however, if the Gunners were to offer close to or around £60m then it could tempt Real Sociedad into a sale.
Bruno Guimaraes - Breaking the bank
The Newcastle man would fit into a lot of criteria Arsenal would like in a midfielder. He is comfortable on the ball, has the ability to dictate play, and is strong defensively along with the calmness and flair a Brazilian normally possesses.
The former Lyon man's numbers are some of the best in the Premier League and he is a player who should be gracing the Champions League each week. Compared to other midfielders he is in the top 85 percentile for non-penalty goals, assists per 90 minutes, shot-creating actions, progressive passes and successful take-ons. He is the complete midfield player and would seriously improve this Arsenal team.
Guimaraes is just entering the prime of his career and while it is said he loves playing for Newcastle he must be thinking about his long-term future and wanting to win the biggest accolades in football, which Newcastle may well do but not right now.
He will cost more than his now-expired release clause of £100m, which seems a lot but that is arguably the going rate for a midfielder of his quality. Last summer saw Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice move for similar fees, proving how vital this position is.
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Striker
It goes without saying that Arteta's number one target this summer will be a centre forward. Having a consistent goal threat at the top of the pitch is what Arsenal lacked last season, although Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus do contribute in different ways to the team, they aren't consistent goal scorers.
Jean-Philippe Mateta - Budget
There aren't many strikers out there who you look at and say, "he can score goals and offer other threats" while being considered 'cheap'. Jean-Philippe Mateta is that man. The Frenchman ended last season in fine form, scoring 10 goals in Crystal Palace's last eight games.
He doesn't just offer goals, he is able to hold the ball up and link with his attacking teammates, we saw at the end of the season how well he played with both Ebere Eze and Michael Olise. He would be able to get the best out of the attackers Arsenal already have.
With only two years left on his deal at Selhurst Park, and talk of him wanting to play for his national team, he may seek a move away. If Arsenal were to offer £30m, give or take, then it could be hard for Palace to turn it down. A move will be difficult to complete, however, with the former Mainz forward away for the Olympics with Thierry Henry's French U21s side.
Ivan Toney - Fair deal
The Brentford man is coming off his worst season in 10 years with only 4 goals to his name, although he did miss the first half due to his FA ban. Some would argue that this means he may come cheaper, well this isn't the case in Thomas Frank's eyes.
Toney offers so much to Frank's team and would arguably be the perfect player for Arsenal. He is a threat both in the air and when the ball is played into his feet, not to mention his eye for goal. He was pivotal to getting The Bees promoted and staying in the Premier League albeit a more disappointing season last time out.
The chances he would get in a team like Arsenal from the service provided by Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli would almost guarantee him to be a success. Getting him out of Brentford will not be easy though.
The former Peterborough man is into the final year of his contract in west London, but the asking price hasn't seemed to decrease. On the other hand, if Arsenal do put the money on the table it might make Brentford budge as the last thing they will want is to lose Toney for free next summer. An offer of £60-£70m could be enough to make the move happen.
Viktor Gyökeres - Breaking the bank
Viktor Gyökeres is a different profile of striker to the previous two mentioned, but this does not mean he won't fit Arsenal. His goal-scoring record is second to none and since his move from Coventry City last summer he has been one of the best strikers in Europe.
To put it in perspective he is in the 96th percentile and above for non-penalty goals per/90, assists per/90, shot-creating actions, progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches in the opponents' box and progressive passes received. In other words, he was unbelievable for Sporting CP.
With quality, however, comes a big price tag. He has reportedly a £100m release clause in his contract, but based on the above stats, he would be worth every penny.
Having only just turned 26 years old, he is coming into the prime of his career and many clubs are looking at the Sweden international, so if Arsenal want him they will have to make their move fast and trigger that clause.
Who to go for?
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Left-back - Rayan Aït-Nouri
The left-back Arsenal should go for and would be most realistic would be Aït-Nouri, his price is not one that will mean Arsenal are restricted when spending on other positions and he will be a big improvement on what they currently have.
His age and ability to play various positions is a key reason why Arsenal should take a real good look at him this summer.
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Midfielder - Martín Zubimendi
Arsenal have been looking at Zubimendi for enough time to know he is an ideal option to come into their midfield. He has all the attributes they are looking for and would be a perfect replacement for the ageing Jorginho.
Again, he will not break their budget and will be a player who can improve under Arteta since he is only 25 years old.
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Striker - Viktor Gyökeres
Arsenal should go all out to sign Gyökeres. His release clause is there to be triggered so there is no need to negotiate a price with Sporting, he is different to any option they currently have in the squad and would thrive in a team that creates countless chances.
He would allow Arsenal to play a different way at times if needed with his electric pace in behind and would almost be a guaranteed success under Arteta.
