ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta is ready to shake up his struggling squad in the summer with big names set to leave and arrive.
Performances have improved under the Spaniard since his appointment in December but more quality is needed to turn those 13 draws in the league this season into wins.
With the prospect of missing out on Champions League football, a number of first-team stars could head for the exit door.
Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of those as he opts to run down his contract, which expires in 2021.
Arsenal are desperate to offload Mesut Ozil’s £350,000-a-week wages while SunSport revealed Alexandre Lacazette is also braced to receive the axe.
It means Arteta will have plenty of work to do over the summer and he will start by trying to land long-term target Dayot Upamecano.
The 21-year-old Red Bull Salzburg centre-back is a wanted man across Europe but the Gunners’ long-term interest could sway Upamecano’s decision to sign for the North London side.
William Saliba, 18, could be his central defensive partner when he returns from his season-long loan at Saint-Etienne.
Kieran Tierney will almost feel like a new signing at left-back once he puts his injury woes behind him while Granit Xhaka could have a new midfielder partner in Le Havre midfielder Pape Gueye.
Reports in Spain claim that Arteta is closely watching the powerful midfielder who has been labelled “a mix of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba”.
And a new-look attack could see James Maddison fill Ozil’s boots as the race to sign the Leicester star hots up.
But Arsenal will face serious competition from Manchester United, who are plotting a £160million double swoop alongside Jack Grealish.
With Pepe and wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli on either flank, Arsenal’s attack could be completed with Celtic superstar Odsonne Edouard leading the line.
The £30million-rated forward has scored 24 goals in 37 appearances and at the age of 22 will only get better.
The Arsenal squad trek through the desert on camels during Dubai training camp
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
