How Arsenal could line up for the 2022/23 season amid potential Gnabry return
After years of mediocrity, it finally feels like Arsenal are slowly on the up once again and headed in the right direction.
A fifth place finish was a disappointing way to end an otherwise brilliant season for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have looked much improved and are now bringing an effective identity to the pitch, which has seen them progress significantly.
In fact, the disappointment of finishing fifth and missing out on Champions League football is testament to just how far they have come in a short space of time, with the Gunners barely considered to be within reach of the top four at all before the 2021/22 season started, in the eyes of many Premier League fans.
Last summer’s signings have given Arteta a young spine to grow and develop his Arsenal side around, but their Champions League shortcoming has highlighted there is still work to do to get this team to the top.
In a bid to bolster their squad some more and give it that next step up in quality to compete with the Premier League‘s top sides on a more consistent basis, Arsenal are expected to dip back into the transfer market this summer, and have been linked with some seriously exciting names.
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While midfielders and strikers are most definitely on the cards, a move to bring Serge Gnabry back to the Emirates Stadium is also being discussed, according to reports.
German outlet BILD (via The Express) report that Arsenal are interested in signing Gnabry, who is entering the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich and can imagine returning to north London.
Of course, the transfer window is long and wholly unpredictable, but Arsenal won’t let it pass by without dipping their toe in the market properly once again.
Considering the noise around Gnabry and the other realistic Arsenal transfer links, we at GIVEMESPORT have crafted a potential 2022/23 XI, and it looks impressive.
Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale
Ramsdale was one of last summer’s main recruits and despite the move for him being met with endless criticism, the Englishman has been a revelation between the sticks.
Keeping 12 Premier League clean sheets in an impressive debut campaign for the Gunners, Ramsdale will only continue to grow in importance and will look even better next season.
Right-back – Takehiro Tomiyasu
A shrewd signing from Bologna last summer, Tomiyasu’s impressive performances in English football were scuppered by injury issues.
But, at just 23, and already proving his worth as a defensively tuned full back, Tomiyasu will continue to play a big role for Arsenal, if he can stay fit.
Centre back – William Saliba
After a stellar season on loan at Marseille that saw him voted Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, it’s understandable to see why Arteta has expressed his desire to use Saliba from next season.
Arsenal’s defence looked strong throughout 2021/22, but the Frenchman will provide excellent competition and could very easily force his way into the starting XI given how talented he is.
Centre back – Ben White
Another signing doubted by many, particularly due to the fee it cost to pry him away from Brighton, White has all the hallmarks of a top defender.
Proving crucial to their progressive style of play, the Englishman is endlessly composed in possession. There is certainly still room to grow in terms of his defensive dominance, but the blueprint is there, and with one season under his belt, White will surely kick on.
Left-back – Aaron Hickey
We’ve thrown this one in here as Hickey is someone that continues to be linked with a move to the Emirates, and what a signing it could be if they do pull it off.
Capable of playing on both flanks, the young Scot has been earning his stripes in Serie A with Bologna – where Arsenal also signed Tomiyasu from – and this season has taken it up a notch. Given that Arteta likes to give young, exciting players a chance, Hickey could be key if he signs, with Kieran Tierney so unfortunate with injuries.
De Jong to Man Utd latest (Football Terrace)
Centre midfield – Thomas Partey
No change here, as Partey is simply perfect for Arsenal moving forward. Partey continues to grow in influence for the Gunners and is comfortably the best midfielder at the club.
Get some top players around this guy immediately. Having him as the base in an exciting team is a serious platform for Arsenal to kick on from.
Centre midfield – Youri Tielemans
Set to leave Leicester this summer, Tielemans has become one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfield options and needs a new challenge.
He would play in a familiar setup with similar instructions at Arsenal and is the ideal candidate to step into their midfield and refresh the options, providing creativity from deep.
Right wing – Serge Gnabry
The star boy comes home. Gnabry would return to Arsenal as an endlessly experienced, trophy hunting treble winner with an exceptional level of talent that has been refined to a world class level.
Adding someone like him to a young squad would immediately raise the levels of everybody around the team, and give Arsenal a huge boost for the coming season in their pursuit of the top four.
Attacking midfield – Martin Odegaard
Odegaard has settled in tremendously well at Arsenal ever since that initial loan, playing his best football yet and showing the world that potential he was always known to have.
Credit must go to Arteta for giving him the tools to show that creativity. Surround Odegaard with a more ruthless attacking roster next season, and there’s no doubts he’ll improve on last season’s seven goals and four assists.
Left wing – Bukayo Saka
One of the finest emerging talents in football right now, it’s clear to see that Saka is the future of Arsenal.
He’s still only 20 years old and it’s important for Arteta to consider that when managing his game time, but if he can play in a team that has Gnabry on the other flank, the young England star will only continue to shine.
Striker – Gabriel Jesus
Continually linked with a move to the Emirates, Jesus’ departure from Manchester City this summer looks a real possibility.
In a similar sense to Gnabry, Jesus would provide an up and coming Arsenal squad with that much-needed, champions boost. Versatile and capable of scoring goals, he would no doubt ease the burden on other attackers by scoring for fun.
