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.

Gnabry could return to Arsenal

MARBELLA, SPAIN - MAY 26: Serge Gnabry of Germany looks on during a training session of the German national soccer team on May 26, 2022 in Marbella, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

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.

Arsenal's potential 2022/23 XI is frightening

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal applauds the Arsenal fans ahead of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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.

Tomiyasu makes Arsenal's 2022/23 XI

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal in act during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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.

Saliba will return to Arsenal

WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: William Saliba of Arsenal in action during the Papa John's Trophy Second Round match between AFC Wimbledon and Arsenal U21 at Plough Lane on December 08, 2020 in Wimbledon, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

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.

Ben White will be key for Arsenal in 2022/23

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Ben White of Arsenal celebrates with the fans after their sides victory during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on March 19, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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.

Hickey could sign for Arsenal

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Aaron Hickey of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Bologna FC at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on December 22, 2021 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

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.

Partey stays in Arsenal's team for 2022/23

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Thomas Partey of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on March 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

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.

Tielemans is being linked to Arsenal
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City reacts during the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 Leg One match between Leicester City and Stade Rennes at Leicester City Stadium on March 10, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Youri Tielemans of Leicester City reacts during the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 Leg One match between Leicester City and Stade Rennes at Leicester City Stadium on March 10, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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.

Arsenal's 2022/23 XI could be frightening

STUTTGART, GERMANY - DECEMBER 14: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring their side's fifth goal and their hat trick during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern München at Mercedes-Benz Arena on December 14, 2021 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

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.

Odegaard is a key player for Arsenal

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on May 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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.

Bukayo Saka
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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.

Jesus could sign for Arsenal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

QUIZ - Can you name these obscure Arsenal January signings?