18 hours Ago By Archie Griggs
Arsenal look set for a hectic summer recruitment drive following the arrival of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director. The 53-year-old, who has succeeded Edu , will be tasked with overseeing a productive window as the Gunners look to boost their Premier League title credentials. Some major improvements will be needed to give them the best chance of achieving domestic glory in 2025/26.
The north Londoners have spent cautiously over the last few years but that might be about to change with Berta at the wheel. Recently, they have been linked with some of the biggest names on the planet. If all goes well in the summer, Arsenal could boast a team of frightening quality that would strike fear into the hearts of their Premier League rivals.
Express Sport takes a look at the unstoppable line-up Mikel Arteta could have at his disposal next season...
There is no need for the Gunners to splurge on a first-choice goalkeeper, with David Raya set to retain his place in the side. He is one of the league's best shot-stoppers, while his impressive distribution is crucial to the way Arsenal build up from the back. There is a chance that a back-up goalkeeper could arrive with Neto heading back to Bournemouth, but it seems unlikely that Raya will be dislodged any time soon.
Arsenal 's back four may also remain untouched in spite of the temptation to improve in every position. They already have the strongest defence in the Premier League, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes up there with the very best in the world. Jurrien Timber is coming into his own at right-back and looks set to keep his place for the foreseeable future.
While a new left-back could arrive to replace Celtic-bound Kieran Tierney , the starting berth will almost certainly go to Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arsenal will look to strengthen in midfield at the end of the season, with Martin Zubimendi likely to join from Real Sociedad. It was reported in January that a deal worth £51million had been agreed , with the Gunners paying the full value of his release clause.
The move is yet to be made official, though, suggesting there may be some loose ends which need to be tied up. If it is pushed over the line, it will give Arsenal the perfect addition to a midfield which already includes Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. The bulk of Arsenal 's money could go into revamping their front three and turning it into one of the most feared attacking units on the planet.
A move for Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams, who reportedly has a £48m release clause , would be particularly shrewd. Meanwhile, the north Londoners could make Sporting talisman Viktor Gyokeres their marquee signing of the window . He is known to have a release clause in the region of £84m, which is arguably a bargain for the most prolific striker in Europe this season.
If there is room for both deals to be done, Arsenal would have genuinely world-class players in each of their attacking positions with Bukayo Saka occupying the right flank..
