Arsenal has many problems to improve if they want to compete fairly with Man City in the Premier League, go deep in the Champions League.
1. Saliba’s contract
Arsenal quickly tied the pillars. Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka respectively signed new contracts. However, the Gunners still have not been able to tie down a key player in the defense: William Saliba.
The current contract between the French midfielder and Arsenal has 12 months left. The process of negotiating a new contract between Arsenal and Saliba has not made new progress.
Therefore, Arsenal’s key task this summer is to convince Saliba to extend his contract to avoid a “long night of dreams”.
2. Recruit Declan Rice
Granit Xhaka’s departure poses a personnel problem for Mikel Arteta. The Spanish strategist needs to find a target to replace Xhaka before the 2023/2024 season starts.
Against that backdrop, Rice emerged as a potential candidate. The English star is considered one of the best central midfielders in the current fog.
Rice promises to fill the void left by Xhaka. The Three Lions player acts as a box-to-box midfielder.
“ Declan Rice will improve the quality of the Arsenal squad. I have no doubt about that. Rice is awesome. He is the type of person who is always eager to learn and improve himself. Playing for Arsenal gives Rice the opportunity to improve himself and take his career to the next level,” commented Rio Ferdinand.
3. Emile Smith Rowe’s Future Settlement
Smith Rowe experienced a dismal 2022/2023 season. The English midfielder was sidelined most of the time by injury. Smith Rowe could not compete for a starting spot after returning to the pitch.
“This has been a difficult season. Definitely the hardest season of my career. It’s frustrating, but I’m happy with where I’m at right now,” Smith Rowe said.
Mikel Arteta needs to quickly deal with Smith Rowe’s future. If the 22-year-old midfielder is no longer in Arsenal’s plans, Smith Rowe will look for a new destination to revive his career.
4. Judgment on Folarin Balogun
This season, Balogun played brilliantly in Reims shirt on loan from Arsenal. However, that does not guarantee a starting place when the English striker returns to Arsenal.
According to Goal, Balogun wants to ensure regular playing time if he stays at Arsenal. That scenario is difficult to come true in the context that the 9th place belongs to Gabriel Jesus.
Thus, Arsenal need to push to Balogun in the summer of 2023 to collect money on the transfer market. Many European giants are ready to roll out the red carpet to recruit Balogun if he leaves Arsenal.
“ He will turn 22 next July. It will be interesting to see if Balogun returns to Arsenal or continues on loan at Stade de Reims. I think this is an interesting summer for Balogun personally,” said journalist Dharmesh Sheth.
5. Recruit a top-class central defender
Arteta needs more rotation quality Plan B for William Saliba. The injury of the invisible French central defender reduced the strength of the home team’s defense at the end of the season.
Therefore, Arsenal need to add a class “rock” this summer. Levi Colwill emerged as a ‘delicious and cheap’ target worth considering with the London team.
This season, the 20-year-old “rock” impressed in the Brighton shirt. Colwill is a left-footed central defender, possessing good speed, aerial skills, and excellent footwork.