The Top Flight
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Three keys to success in 2022/23: Arsenal

By Joel Edkins

Cedric Soares of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match against Everton at Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Cedric Soares of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match against Everton at Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Takehiro Tomiyasu Arsenal
Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal goes down injured during the Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

1. Strengthen the Backup Brigade

Arsenal have proven they have a spine of first-team players that Mikel Arteta can build his ‘process’ around. Going through the first eleven; Aaron Ramsdale partnered with the aforementioned defensive four can be in place for years to come.

Options behind these, however, are few and far between, resulting in the likes of Granit Xhaka being fielded out of position as cover. The anticlimactic signing of left-back Nuno Tavares didn’t help matters and Cedric on the opposite flank looked ill-equipped when called upon.

Higher-ups at the club are exploring options to reinforce both positions with Bologna’s Aaron Hickey, who can play on either side, top of the list.

The centre of the pitch is another area in need of recruitment. Mohamed Elneny and Albert Lokonga provide suitable cover for Thomas Partey in the deeper-lying role but box-to-box options in place of Xhaka run thin.

In an attempt to combat this, Arsenal have been embroiled in a transfer chase for Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans and should eventually complete the signing. Furthermore, wingers remain a field of strength for Arteta and one that he will be reluctant to disrupt with new signings.

Up front is potentially the only position that demands an outright first choice addition as Arteta needs to replace both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Eddie Nketiah’s rise and consequent contract extension has kept the number of signings needed in the position to one but Arteta will want to secure a leading man.

Similarly to the Tielemans debacle, Arsenal have been working on signing departing Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus for weeks. The Brazilian is known to Arteta during his time working under Pep Guardiola and is viewed as an ideal target for the pressing style of play the manager is trying to implement.

Since writing this, Arsenal have completed the signing of Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira. They are thought to still be advancing in their talks to sign Tielemans as well with Vieira more of a creative and attack-minded centre-midfielder.

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