What we would do if parachuted into Arsene Wenger’s Emirates Stadium hot-seat.
Arsene Wenger is already well in to a busy summer at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners having shelled out a fee upwards of £30m for Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona.
This is unlikely to mark the end of the Frenchman’s summer reshuffling, however, with more signings expected at the club as well as some departures to make room for the new recruits.
This is what we would do if given free reign with Wenger’s contract-signing quill.
Goalkeepers
Wojciech Szczesny – Keep – The Polish international has matured into a fine Premier League goalkeeper and, despite a few lingering doubts, is far from Wenger’s biggest headache. Also has a clear affinity with the club after emerging from the academy.
Damian Martinez – Loan – Argentine Martinez is yet to be given a real opportunity in the first team squad at the Emirates Stadium and should follow up spells with Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday with another loan deal.
Potential signing – David Ospina – The Colombian, who enjoyed a fine World Cup, looks set to seal a £3m move as a replacement for Lukasz Fabianski, backing up the Gunners’ first choice custodian.
Click through the pages to see our views on the rest of the squad.
Full Backs
Mathieu Debuchy – Keep – The new signing from Newcastle United should be a solid replacement for his international teammate Bacary Sagna, who has joined Manchester City.
Kieran Gibbs – Keep – The academy graduate is a fine full back who often goes under the radar, but his patchy injury record means that the Gunners must have strong cover.
Nacho Monreal – Sell – The Spaniard isn’t good enough defensively to be a viable option for the Gunners, who should accept a good bid if it comes in from La Liga.
Carl Jenkinson – Loan – With another right back likely to arrive, Jenkinson is likely to leave. He has shown potential though and, as a genuine fan of the club, he deserves the chance to improve with a loan spell and restake his claim for a place next season.
Potential signing – Calum Chambers – The young Southampton right back would be happy to start off as back up to Debuchy and should become a fine footballer.
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