How will the Gunners’ summer plan unfold when Arteta is eager to end the trophy drought?

Arsenal has almost locked in another Premier League runner-up and completed the Champions League semi-finals - but how should they take the last step? Club executive Josh Kroenke revealed his investment plan, while Arteta said "more exciting things are coming."

During this season, Patrice Evra's comment about Arsenal sparked heated discussion: "They are like Netflix, you are always waiting for the next season." This feeling is particularly obvious when the Gunners defeated Newcastle 1-0 at home and ended the Emirates Stadium journey this season. The Champions League seat has been secured and the league runner-up is almost certain. But once again people feel the lack of that ultimate goal - the heavyweight trophy.

Before Arsenal's last home game of the season, co-chairman Josh Kroenke wrote in the match day manual: "We all yearn for the championship." He said of being second in the Premier League for two consecutive years, "We plan to support the team to achieve better results next season through investment. Ultimately, our goals are the same. We are also eager to succeed, and this desire belongs to every member of the club. "

That night, Arteta gave an emotional speech to the audience at Emirates Stadium: "Please don't blur the vision of chasing dreams, please see the efforts of these players, continue to protect this dream with enthusiasm, and a better chapter is coming soon. "So how should the Gunners realize this dream?

Quantity demand

Although most of the outside world focus on forward signings that can bring about qualitative change, Arteta emphasized the importance of "focusing on both quantity and quality" at the post-match press conference. Kieran Tierney and Jorginho made their home farewell match against Newcastle. The two are expected to join the Celtics and Flamengo respectively. Thomas Patty's future is also doubtful and his contract is about to expire.

While Patty may receive a new contract, two loan players, Rahim Sterling and Neto, will be confirmed to return to Chelsea and Bournemouth. It is worth noting that before mentioning these players who are about to leave the team, Arteta first described the existing lineup "very thin".

Arteta admitted: "Obviously we need to add personnel, because the existing lineup is seriously insufficient, and more importantly, we will lose four to five players with expired contracts and loan expiration. Therefore, we must remain keen and strictly abide by discipline in transfer operations to ensure that we are sufficiently competitive next season. "

Currently, there are only 22 players in the Gunners' first-team official roster. With the departure of Tierney, Jorginho, Sterling and Neto, this number will be reduced to 18 players. The future of other players is also doubtful - such as Oleksand Zinchenko, who is gradually losing favor, and Fu'an Jianyang, who is long-term injustice.

There is an urgent need for full-position reinforcement: except for David Raya, only young players such as Tommy Thetford are available; although the defense is the most abundant position, if Zinchenko leaves the team with Tierney, it still needs to be supplemented, even though Miles Lewis Skelly makes his mark. The club negotiation team will usher in a busy summer.

Quality pursuit

Quality is not the only requirement. Like all top teams, Arsenal needs to improve the roster level. The key to achieving the ultimate goal is to introduce more championship-level players.

Gary Neville analyzed after the Newcastle game: "It is not easy to find world-class players that can bring qualitative changes, but the Gunners must do it, otherwise they will let the club, fans and themselves down. The need for reinforcement of the midfield and front line is obvious. "

The midfield problem is close to being solved: Real Sociedad's Martin Suvimenti will replace Jorginho and replace veterans with players who are in their play, which means that the Gunners will get a midfield that can independently undertake defensive tasks, without relying on the assisted defense of the recruiting fullbacks. This will release Martin Odge and Declan Rice's offensive freedom, but the front line still needs to be strengthened.

Nevil emphasized: "Arteta needs two or three top attackers. If it can be achieved, they will truly have the ability to compete for the championship. " The center position is the top priority: Arsenal scored 88 and 91 goals in the first two seasons, and with one round left this season, only 67 goals were recorded. The importance of top centers is not only reflected in the Gunners themselves, but the absence of Newcastle striker Isaac caused the team to fall from the Champions League competitors further confirms this.

Although Isaac may be difficult to poach because of Newcastle's financial strength, Victor Giocres and Benjamin Cesco became potential targets with their goal record in Europe. The winger position also needs to be strengthened: the Gunners need to find a player who can form two wings with Bukayo Saka. Leondro Trosad's contract is only one year left and will be 31 years old. Sterling's loan is also likely to not be renewed. Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams has become the focus. The Spanish international is expected to join after the European Cup.

Nevil pointed out: "Their tactical system is very mature, but lacks the sharpness to break through the defense. The joining of the new sports director Andrea Berta demonstrates the club's determination to "fight the championship immediately". Krenke previously said: "We plan to support the team in investment to achieve better results next season." " He added: "We are very happy to have Andrea, who will play a major role in the process. "

The value of the existing lineup

Arteta emphasized the positive factors of this season after the Newcastle game. Despite facing five years of pressure to win the championship (even before the game that "if you don't make the first two before Christmas, you will change your coach "), the Spanish coach insisted that the team's performance is rare.

Arteta warned: "We must continue to cherish the extraordinary achievements, the competitiveness and the stability that this team has achieved, and it will be very dangerous to ignore these.. "He cited the disastrous impact of injuries on multiple teams - compared to Arsenal's performance in Premier League runner-up and Champions League semi-finals with 27 injuries, the collapses between Tottenham (the second most injured is now ranked 17th) and Manchester United (the fourth most frequent now ranked 16th).

"Any other team will completely collapse when we suffer from 30% of our injuries in nine months. "Arteta stressed," but we didn't. "But next season, these "explanations" must be translated into real trophys.

"Arsenal can no longer have any excuses next season. "Neville asserted," Saliba will be injured and Gabriel will be injured, all of which are known risks. At the end of this six or seven-year journey with Arteta, they must transform from a team that has not won the championship to a team that has won the championship. This has laid a wonderful foreshadowing for next season. "

Kroenke's support is crucial

When asked about Josh Kroenke's summer window investment commitment, Arteta responded: "This is not new." " "The club always supports the team in the best way, and this summer will not be an exception. "The Gunners coach is closely related to the senior management and is confident in obtaining financial support. He pays more attention to the accuracy of the transfer operation.

"Our decisions must be wise enough. "The plan has been formulated, but the timeline will be affected by multiple factors." Fortunately, we have a good management team in charge of this. " " At the same time, we must make sure that existing players feel valued and are willing to continue their journey in the right way. "

In addition to signings, renewal work is also critical: William Saliba, Saka and Gabriel's contracts will expire in two years, Gabriel Martinel also faces the same situation, Trosad's contract is only one year left, and this summer, both inside and outside the Emirates Stadium will usher in a busy moment.