JUST IN: Not Cancelo, Arteta urged to sign his own Manchester City flop at Arsenal for a £68m fee to strengthen his squad.

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Mikel Arteta Seeks Four Key Additions as Arsenal Prepare for Busy Summer Transfer Window

With the summer transfer window approaching, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad with four key additions.

Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has urged Arteta to sign his own version of Jack Grealish to enhance competition for places within the team. The Gunners’ focus seems to be on defensive reinforcements, with a new central defender and right-back identified as priority positions to address.

Several names are expected to be on Arsenal’s shortlist for these roles, including Marc Guehi, Edmond Tapsoba, Mohamed Simakan, and Ivan Fresneda. The team’s lack of depth in defense was exposed during the final stages of the season when injuries to William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksandr Zinchenko forced Arteta to reshuffle his back four.

In a bid to cover these absences, Arteta was forced to deploy central midfielder Thomas Partey at right-back, move Ben White to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in central defense, and shift Jakub Kiwior to left-back. These necessary adjustments undoubtedly had an impact on Arsenal’s failed Premier League title challenge, highlighting the need for further additions to the squad.

On the attacking front, Arsenal’s depth appears strong on paper, with the first-choice front four of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard supported by capable squad options.

Eddie Nketiah provides cover for Jesus, Reiss Nelson for Saka, and Leandro Trossard was frequently rotated with Martinelli. Additionally, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe are ready to support Odegaard and fill the advanced midfield role currently occupied by Granit Xhaka.

However, with Xhaka reportedly set for a summer transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, a replacement will be required in midfield. Moreover, any untimely injuries to the attacking line could disrupt the team’s depth, prompting Djourou to suggest that Arteta follow the example set by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Djourou recommends bringing in another attacking option, even when it may not appear necessary, to immediately impact the first-team and maintain healthy competition for places.

Speaking to MyBettingSites.co.uk, Djourou stated, “Competition is the be-all and end-all, so I would welcome a new arrival in that position (referring to Arsenal’s interest in Moussa Diaby).

Just look at Manchester City: top players like Phil Foden or Riyad Mahrez are always on the bench, while Jack Grealish is an integral part of the starting XI because he performs really well.

A well-balanced squad is eminently important to strengthen cohesion and ensure that every player consistently questions themselves. Arsenal need a bit more quality and experience so that nobody feels too comfortable.”

Arsenal had reignited their interest in Moussa Diaby during the January transfer window before turning their attention to Trossard.

German journalist Patrick Berger previously suggested that a summer move for the Bayer Leverkusen winger was more likely, with the Gunners potentially looking to pay a fee of “€75 million (£68 million) plus significant bonuses.”

As the transfer window approaches, Arsenal’s pursuit of defensive reinforcements, midfield replacements, and an additional attacking option will be closely watched.