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Arsenal’s campaign last season was as much of a rollercoaster as it was a disaster as well. Their season was maligned as fans called for Arsene Wenger’s departure as well as chairman Stan Kroenke’s resignation.
This was also fuelled by contract disputes affecting Wenger and fans hoping star players Mesut Ozil and especially Alexis Sanchez signed new long-term contracts.
This translated into the field as Arsenal struggled for results in the league and were also unable to achieve their usual Top 4 result.
Wenger struggled to gain the fans trust and, even with the FA Cup victory over London rivals Chelsea, many still believe Wenger is the wrong man to mount a title chase.
With a two-year contract extension signed at the end of the season, it is left to Wenger to pick up the pieces and gain the fans trust by making the right decisions in this summer transfer market.
Keep superstars Sanchez and Ozil
To build on the FA Cup success of last season and mount a serious title challenge, it is crucial for Arsenal to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil on new contracts.
Sanchez proved last season he is crucial and the core of this team as he contributed 24 goals in the Premier League playing both out-wide and as the central striker.
While Ozil didn’t have as much of an impressive season as 2015-16, he is still a massively important player for the club and it will be important for Wenger to ensure these two players are signed for longest term.
Sign a ‘world class’ striker
The term ‘world class striker’ has been over-used in recent times. Some may argue in favour of Olivier Giroud, but he hasn’t had a 25-goal season in the league and clubs challenging for the title are required to have this calibre of striker.
Arsenal have been linked to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and most recently Alexandre Lacazette – the latter the more likely of the two.
The stats show Lacazette has one of the best conversion rates of strikers in the top five European leagues, with most of his goals coming from the penalty box. His predatorial finish is what Arsenal have been lacking and with support from the likes of Ozil and Sanchez, a title push is achievable.
Find a Santi Cazorla replacement
It is not saying much when fans thought the arrival of Granit Xhaka would spearhead a new solid Arsenal midfield that had been lacking that engine-type player.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played a couple of games in central midfield but a club pushing for the title can’t rely on a winger to play in the middle. As such a midfielder is required before the season starts.
As Cazorla is injury-prone, it would be foolish to rely on him. Leon Goretska, although not the big-name fans would have hoped for, is a much-improved player from last season should give fans something to hope for in the coming season – although only if Wenger can go about these signings much quicker than usual.
While Wenger has gone and sorted the left back issue by signing former Schalke player Sead Kolasinac for free, fans will hope such enthusiasm and fast approach could be implemented in much more in need positions like a solid forward.
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