There’s a renewed sense of ambition surrounding Arsenal following their FA Cup success.Mikel Arteta looks like the real deal after managing to secure European football for next season with a 2-1 win against Chelsea.It means Arsenal have beaten Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea in the space of a few weeks. Signs that they could be competitive in the Premier League next season?We’ll have to wait and see. The chances of that are more likely if they can convince Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay.
Arteta will do extremely well to mount a serious challenge next season given the funds available to him.But the Spaniard is well aware that this is a lengthy process and that the most important thing for now is implementing his own style of style.We’ve seen that in parts this season, with Arsenal’s first goal in their 2-0 win against Man City an example of the quality football they can produce.
But Arteta wants to bring in more players he believes will fit his vision, with plans to switch to a 4-3-3 formation next season.
And according to The Times, he wants to sign Philippe Coutinho, Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey and Chelsea’s Willian to bolster his squad.
Barcelona are keen to offload Coutinho as a result of his struggles since arriving from Liverpool in 2018.
The Brazilian spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich but the German champions have no desire to make his signing a permanent one.
Meanwhile, Partey would be the perfect replacement in the middle of the pitch for Matteo Guendouzi. The young Frenchman has been exiled due to his attitude issues and could leave the club.
Willian’s contract with Chelsea will expire after their Champions League last-16 second leg against Bayern Munich on August 8 and would make sense on a short-term deal.
So, what might Arsenal’s line-up next season look like if they can add that trio to their squad?
We’re predicting something like this…
Arsenal’s predicted 2020/21 line-up (4-3-3): Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, William Saliba, David Luiz, Kieran Tierney; Dani Ceballos, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Willian, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Philippe Coutinho.
This is dependant on Arsenal managing to complete a permanent deal for Ceballos, too.
Nicolas Pepe’s up-and-down debut season means Willian could come in as an immediate starter.
We’ve also put Coutinho straight in, but if his struggles continue then Arteta could easily switch Aubameyang to the left and bring Alexandre Lacazette in.