What Could Arsenal's Squad Look Like Next Season?

The box-to-box role

Aaron Ramsey (24) and Santi Cazorla (30) have been superb in the transition from defence to attack this season and Wilshere (23) also showed his class in recent games and will challenge for a starting spot again. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (21) and Gedion Zelalem (18) are the next players to step up for the number 8 role.

I have to admit that I like to watch Wilshere and Chamberlain more up the field (in an offensive role). Their dribbling ability make them deadly weapons against packed defences.

The creative centre

Mesut Özil (26) has made the position his own within the last two years. His work on his body strength has even made him better. At times he lacks the consistency needed to be at the top level but I hope that he can overcome that hurdle and unlock his whole potential for all of the time.

Maybe Wenger will make an approach to challenge Özil with Wilshere taking his spot in the starting line-up at times next season? Tomas Rosicky's contract extension means a lot - he brings so much to the team; skills, experience, determination, injection of pace, he is a true all-rounder. He is 34 years old, but still can change a game. The best backup you could wish for.

The wings

Wenger already said that it will be the right age to let Theo Walcott (26) play through the middle. It means that Wenger may not sign a new striker this summer.

We still have Lukas Podolski (29), Joel Campbell (22) and Ryo Miyaichi (22) who are all currently on loan. Podolski is without a doubt our best finisher, but has not suited Wenger's system since his arrival in 2012. Miyaichi has not improved a lot in the last few years and playing most of his 25 games in 2014/15 in Netherlands 2^nd devision suggests he will not make the team soon. Campbell has to improve on the technical side of his game and hopefully we will witness his progress in pre-season.

Miyaichi and Podolski will certainly not stay at club beyond this summer I think.

Alexis Sanchez (26) scored when Arsenal struggled - 10 goals and 6 assists in his first 19 games in the Premier League is an incredible return. He will be one of the first names on Wenger's team sheet for years to come.

Serge Gnabry (19) is another gem who can become a top class player in the future. He has come back from injury now and already impressed for the U21-team. He scored one goal and made two assists against Wolverhampton and Wenger has to make a decision on him, as well as many others, after the pre-season - he could possibly go on loan. 

The one up front

Olivier Giroud (28) has had all the faith from Wenger since Robin van Persie left in 2012. It is obvious that Arsenal need a better striker who can score around 30 goals a season. Who will it be? Karim Benzema (28), Jackson Martinez (28) and Alexandre Lacazette (24) are the ones who are rumoured to join us.

Lacazette will need time to acclimatise to the Premier League which maybe makes him the low priority option. For me the two experienced strikers look much more likely to impress from the start.

Giroud's statistics from 2013/14 show that he doesn't score that often at the highest level. This season's statistics were not comparable due to his leg injury and played just two games. 

Both, Benzema and Martinez, had good statistics in the recent Champions League campaign, but it is just an indicator that they could be a success if they join. You never know how players will react to new surroundings. Some will need more time than others to adapt and some will never reach the level they attained at their previous club.

Welbeck (24) was bought last summer, but could only impress for his national side so far. Wenger also has to assess in pre-season if Chuba Akpom (19) is a possibility. Benik Afobe (22) has a buy-back clause in his contract which Wenger could make use of as well.

Alexis, Walcott and Campbell are also able to do a job at the peak of attack. Many possibilities to think about to find the right balance and quality needed to win more trophies.

The question for Wenger has to be, if he trusts his potential strikers or if he has to strengthen!

1. Wenger buys a new striker and Giroud will be second choice.
2. Wenger buys another winger and plays Walcott or Alexis as the main striker with Giroud as their backup.
3. Wenger sells Giroud and adds a striker or winger to the team.
4. Wenger changes nothing. Everything stays the same. 

It is a hard decision to make, but I hope Wenger makes the right choice.

In conclusion many decisions have to be made. Cazorla, Giroud and Szczesny could all depart to make space for new acquisitions. Podolski, Miyaichi and Diaby are the players who are most likely to leave before the new season kicks off. A defensive and offensive midfielder or winger/striker should be the main priorities to the new season.

http://twitter.com/cojaboberlin Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?

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