Arsene Wenger got off to a disappointing start to his new Premier League campaign at the Emirates with a defeat to Liverpool in the opening game of the season for both clubs. Though a 4-3 scoreline shows that this game was a thriller (which it was) Arsenal looked far from convincing with all the injuries to their key players. This performance has left Arsene Wenger with hardly any choice but to strengthen the squad ahead of the next season. The manager has been linked with a number of players in the transfer window but has not been able to get his hands on any of his top transfer targets leaving himself with a lot of work to do in the two weeks of the window that is left. Looking at Liverpool’s defeat, here are three players who Arsenal must sign before the deadline day to make sure that they can compete with the best in the next season:
Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia)
The German international has been on the radar of the Premier League outfit since the start of this month but Wenger has not been able to complete his deal even with just two weeks left in the window. The 24-year old seems to be a must buy for Arsenal after Calum Chambers and Rob Holding were not able to keep the Liverpool attack at bay on Sunday. Arsenal have loads of injuries in defense and are missing star players in Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista for 5 months and 5 weeks respectively and with Koscielny expected to be back next week, a pairing of the French international with Mustafi can improve the Arsenal defense two-fold.
Mario Lemina (Juventus)
Arsenal are one of the very few clubs who play possession-based football in the English league which requires almost every player to be comfortable on the ball and capable enough to rotate possession even under pressure. But in the game against Liverpool, Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka, on either side of the break, were hardly encouraging in a midfield area.
Neither of them managed to create any kind of command in the games and were not able to dominate the middle of the pitch on their own turf. Though it still very early in the season, Arsenal need a strong midfielder who can act as a link between the defense and attack and this is where the 22-year old will help Arsene Wenger. Lemina has all the attributes that make him a good fit for Wenger’s side and though he may not be able to establish a place in the side from the outset, he can surely be a top class player in the future and just what Arsenal need this summer.
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
The French international has been one of the most in-form strikers in recent times and has started his new League 1 season with a hat-trick for his side against Nice on Sunday. The 25-year old is being scouted by Wenger since the start of the transfer window but it looks like Arsenal are nowhere close to getting their man this summer.
The 25-year old is looking in red-hot form and though he had injury scares recently, he was back in action last weekend and will be a great fit for Wenger’s style of play at the club. Arsenal were without a focal point for the game against Liverpool but with Olivier Giroud as the only recognized striker at the club for the first few months (Danny Welbeck is injured) Wenger needs to add a striker to his squad and Lacazette seems to be the best option. The French international is a great finisher and good passer of the ball. He will adjust to the English league quickly and can help Arsenal in their efforts to the top of the table this season.
