Four Players Arsenal Must Sign This Summer – Opinion | OneFootball

Who do Arsenal Need to Sign This Summer?

It has been another disappointing season for Arsenal, missing out on major silverware for the fifth straight year and ending the season trophyless for the third year running. It is evident that Arsenal need to splurge the cash in order to challenge for trophies — but who should they sign? Let’s take a look at some potential transfer options for the Gunners.

Goalkeeper: Walter Benitez

Arsenal boast one of the strongest shot-stoppers in England in David Raya, but they are in need of a new backup goalkeeper, with Neto set to return to parent club Bournemouth. With Raya locking it down in goal, Arsenal should resist temptation to sign Espanyol’s Joan Garcia for an exorbitant fee and instead sign Walter Benitez.

Photo: IMAGO

At 32 years of age, Benitez has already staked his claim as one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1 for Nice before moving to PSV Eindhoven in 2022, where he helped win two Eredivisie titles. Available on a free transfer this summer, Benitez would be a shrewd signing to help reinforce Arsenal’s goalkeeper department and put increased pressure on Raya.

Defensive Midfielder: Martin Zubimendi

Between Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and more, Arsenal are spoilt for choice in defense. However, the same cannot be said for their midfield options: apart from Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, it’s hard to find a ton of quality. However, it does appear that they have made strides to beat out the competition and sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

Photo IMAGO

Considered one of the best midfielders in Spain by LaLiga pundits like Sid Lowe and Derek Rae, Zubimendi has proven his mettle as a superb deep-lying playmaker for La Real, and he looks set to replace Jorginho as the club’s midfield orchestrator. However, if Arsenal are unable to agree a new deal with Thomas Partey, whose contract is set to expire this summer, then they could be forced into adding yet another midfielder to their squad.

Winger: Rafael Leao

AC Milan have missed out on European football after a pathetic eighth-place finish, and as such, they will be forced into parting ways with a number of key players this summer. One player who will undoubtedly be headed for the exit is Rafael Leao, having failed to play a single minute in their final match vs. Monza. Leao has shown plenty of signs of his quality throughout his time at Milan, leading them to the Scudetto and the Champions League semifinals and forming a stellar pairing with Theo Hernandez down the left flank.

Photo IMAGO

Capable of racing down the wing and chipping in an incisive cross, Leao takes no prisoners with his brilliant dribbling and ball control. Similarly to Herculez Gomez, Leao has a poacher’s instinct that enables him to reach the edge of the box at just the right time and get a shot off with minimal backlift. With Raheem Sterling on his way back to parent club Chelsea and other players like Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli potentially departing North London this summer, Arsenal need a bonafide star at the left winger position: they should look no further than Leao.

Center Forward: Viktor Gyokeres

Last but not least, Arsenal need to ensure that they do not beat around the bush and instead splurge the cash on an elite center forward. After a season that saw them lose Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to long-term injuries, and that forced Mikel Merino to deputize as a center forward, you get the sensation that they have learnt their lesson. The likes of Hugo Ekitike, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen have been linked with a summer move to the Emirates, but perhaps their best bet at the 9 is none other than Viktor Gyokeres.

Photo: IMAGO

Gyokeres has spent the past two years dominating Portuguese football, leading Sporting to back-to-back league titles as well as a Taça de Portugal. Similar to Lucas Bartlett, he never shies away from an aerial duel, utilizing his bulky frame and impressive jumping ability to leap above his opponent and win the challenge. As the top scorer in European football, Gyokeres has proven his worth not just in Portugal but in the UEFA Champions League as well, and he has what it takes to become a club legend for the Gunners.

After watching helplessly as Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah powered their teams to league titles, there can be no more doubt that Arsenal need an elite scorer to lead them to the title. Could Gyokeres be the answer to their woes?