Three realistic summer transfer targets for Arsenal boss Arteta including ex-Man City midfielder and Championship star

THE January transfer window closed two weeks ago but already the focus is on the summer deals.

Of course, which European competition Mikel Arteta steers his skeleton crew into will in part determine which players he might attract.

That said, we are still ‘The Arsenal’, we are in the capital, and we will be offering top dollar for potential recruits.

The question is, therefore, in which areas of the pitch will the team need strengthening and who might the targets be?

It is clear the Edu-Arteta era has seen a shift toward younger players, picked out to fit a style and ripe to be taken to the next level and peak at Arsenal.

I certainly like this new approach and would add ‘Premier League ready’ as a possible additional criterion.

This does not necessarily have to mean the targets must be or have played in the league, although I see it as a bonus.

But they must have the right attributes to adapt swiftly – Takehiro Tomiyasu would be a prime example of the latter.

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DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN

With Alex Lacazette and current back-up Eddie Nketiah hardly inspiring confidence that they can score regularly and both out of contract this June, the central striking area we know is priority No1.

The club, having failed to woo Dusan Vlahovic, is being linked to many strikers, most notably Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Barring a few glimpses of the Swede’s talent at the Euros, I have seen or read little to justify the high buy-out clause and I am sure this is why the club dithered in January.

It might seem less exciting or glamourous but a fit and firing CALVERT-LEWIN is a no brainer for me.

We know he can deliver a consistent goal threat and he is a striker that fits Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

DCL, 24, can play with his back to goal, can hold up and link well but unlike Lacazette, he also has the mobility and pace to get on the end of the moves.

He also offers an aerial prowess we lack, which is so evident currently as we fail to convert Kieran Tierney’s constant left-wing supply line.

The question as to who the club will bring in as a second striker or alternative will depend on two things.

Firstly, whether Arteta is at all tempted to again tweak the system to try Gabriel Martinelli as the main striker and, secondly, how Folarin Balogun fairs on loan at Middlesbrough.

So, it is a case of watch this space on that one.

DOUGLAS LUIZ

The next priority I am sure will be to sign a top-level long-term central midfield partner for Thomas Partey.

Granit Xkaka flirted with Roma last summer and is linked to them again already for this one coming.

Whilst he has been an admirable servant to Arsenal and Arteta, he is at the wrong end of his career now and young blood is needed.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is popular and enthusiastic but I am not sure whether he is a box-to-box player or a defensive midfielder.

The fact that he can fulfil both roles, probably at this stage makes him a suitable utility player and not the first choice, yet.

At present Arteta seems to be playing Xhaka in advance of Partey but I still believe that he wants a more purpose-built defensive midfielder, which will allow the Ghanaian more freedom to support Arsenal’s attacking play.

I know many Arsenal fans would like to see Yves Bissouma at the Emirates.

But for me the ideal and most realistic candidate is DOUGLAS LUIZ.

Manchester City really did not want to lose the player and his form for Aston Villa has shown us why.

Luiz is a senior Brazil international, which in itself should be a kitemark of quality, and this summer he has only a year remaining on his current deal.

Arteta will know Luiz from their time together at the Etihad between loans.

I hope this link to our manager and the fact that Edu is Brazilian might assist Arsenal in stealing the 23-year-old from Villa.

PHILIP BILLING

With Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles expected to leave, I would still anticipate Arteta wanting a fourth senior central midfielder while Charlie Patino earns his stripes.

Knowing that our manager likes balance, I suspect he will want a left-footer to call upon.

So the surprise package signing I would like to see is PHILIP BILLING, who is currently instrumental in Bournemouth’s promotion push under Scott Parker.

Twice relegated, like Aaron Ramsdale, is no indication of the player’s quality.

Billing, 25, can operate in front of the defence, with telescopic Vieira-like legs assisting tackles and interceptions, but can also play a more attacking role, as his eight Championship goals this term prove.

His height and resulting aerial prowess is an asset in both penalty areas and the player will be hungry to get back into Denmark’s squad ahead of the World Cup.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk