How Arsenal could line up next season: Coutinho and Partey included

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Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of credit for the way that he appears to have got Arsenal moving in the right direction during his first few months at the Emirates.

But the Spaniard has arguably got to be prepared for the pressure to step up a notch next season.

By then, he will have enjoyed his first summer transfer window. And the team should look at a lot more like how Arteta would want.

The Gunners have already been linked with a raft of potential signings ahead of the summer.

So with that in mind, here is a look at how Arsenal could lineup at the start of next season should they manage to land a number of their reported targets over the coming months…

GK: Bernd Leno

One area Arsenal do not need to strengthen in the summer is in goal. Bernd Leno has been superb this season.

RB: Max Aarons

The Daily Mail reported that Arsenal were in interested in the £30 million-rated right-back in January. With Norwich in big trouble in the Premier League, it may not be a surprise to see the Gunners go back in for Aarons, particularly with the Mail suggesting that he could look to move if the Canaries go down.

CB: Dayot Upamecano

Football London has reported that Arsenal want RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano. Arteta’s men have improved since his arrival. But a marquee centre-back signing would still be welcome.

CB: William Saliba

William Saliba has been an Arsenal player for almost a year. But he will go into next season still awaiting his debut after spending the year out on loan. There is a lot of anticipation surrounding the Frenchman.

LB: Bukayo Saka

For reasons that will become apparent later on, Bukayo Saka edges out Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac for the left-back spot. Saka has been outstanding this term.

CM: Dani Ceballos

Dani Ceballos’s form since Arteta’s arrival has been superb. The Daily Mail recently confirmed that the Gunners do not have an option to buy the Real Madrid man permanently. But they will surely be tempted to try.

CM: Thomas Partey

The Daily Mirror recently suggested that the Atletico Madrid star is on Arteta’s radar. With a £45 million release clause, he will surely be on the move this summer. And it could be a game changing move if Arsenal could win the race.

RW: Nicolas Pepe

Nicolas Pepe has enjoyed an encouraging first season at the Emirates. He has scored six goals and contributed eight assists in the Premier League and Europa League. It would not be a surprise to see the Ivory Coast international prove a revelation during his second year.

AM: Philippe Coutinho

The Daily Mirror has reported this week that Arsenal are one of the teams chasing Philippe Coutinho. They have reportedly enquired about the £142 million Barcelona man and are interested in taking him on loan.

LW: Diogo Jota

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal want Diogo Jota. He has scored six Premier League goals this season and it would be a brilliant piece of business to tempt him away from Wolves. It is however, difficult to see the Portuguese leaving Molineux as things stand.

ST: Odsonne Edouard

Should Arsenal decide to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, Arteta will need to pull something special out of the bag. The Daily Mirror has reported this weekend that the club want Odsonne Edouard from Celtic. It looks a matter of time before the Frenchman is playing in the Premier League, and it would be a coup for Arsenal to land the £30m-rated striker.

What Arsenal XI would you like to see lineup at the start of next season?