It is finally happening. After all the curses and prayers, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has pretty much extended his contract by two years and the North-London side has reportedly offered him a whopping £100 million transfer kitty.
We are sure the decision didn’t go down well with the fans and critics who were quite vociferous in their opinions about the 67-year-old Frenchman, especially during Arsenal’s midseason crisis where wins were difficult to come by. Wenger’s ability to continue any longer was a doubt raised again and again. But now wth him prolonging his stay, the best they can do is back the man for a better season.
Arsenal won the FA Cup for the record 13th time last Saturday as they beat favourites, Chelsea. It was Wenger’s seventh of the career and it pretty much made his case stronger in the eyes of owner Stan Kroenke. Truth be told, Arsenal are a decent squad and apart from the need of some small yet vital upgrades here and there, the side remains well-balanced.
On the positive side, Arsenal fans can expect a rare eventful transfer window, something they have hardly seen in the last decade. With a transfer kitty this big, here are three players Wenger can target:
Pierre Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund):
There needs to be one significant signing this summer. Apart from beefing up the squad, a star signing is quintessential to keep the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil at the club. And the Gabon international is an ideal fit for that forward role. Danny Welbeck’s influence in front of Sanchez and Ozil is unparalleled as pressurising the defence gives the duo more of the chance to attack.
However, the English international struggles from injuries and sometimes inconsistencies so Aubameyang would be an upgrade in that role. Olivier Giroud is a likely departure this summer and although Arsenal have to fight with some huge clubs for his signature, he will be worth every penny.
Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco):
With the new three-man defence faring excellently for Arsenal, we don’t see any reason why Wenger would change it next season. However, the setup has increased the need for a genuine winger for the side almost instantly, and Arsenal will need someone prolific and hardworking in that role. Theo Walcott’s services already look redundant now, and the Monaco winger could be an ideal addition.
His pace on the ball and ability to produce delicious crosses make him a hot prospect this summer. Arsenal can pose a title challenge with him on the flanks.
Mario Lemina (Juventus):
A more probable deal compared to the above two, the Juventus midfielder could give the much-needed support to Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla in the middle. The Gabon international has lost his first-team place with Juventus, playing just 19 times last season. However, it doesn’t take away his ability to win the ball at the centre of the field.
Given his ridiculous work rate, he could be Arsenal’s N’Golo Kante and at a cheaper price too. With Francis Coquelin exhibiting inconsistency in the midseason, Lemina’s addition will be extremely crucial to Arsenal.
