How Arsenal could line up with Morgan Rogers and Ayyoub Bouaddi in ideal Mikel Arteta plan | OneFootball

Gunners looking to strengthen in key areas during busy summer transfer window

The majority of the squad are at the World Cup but it is not long now until Arsenal's pre-season preparations begin.

It has been a quiet start to the transfer window for Arsenal but that is expected to change in the coming weeks as they look to strengthen, particularly on the left wing and in midfield.

Standard Sport takes a look at what the Gunners' starting lineup could be next season if the summer window goes to plan...

There is no doubt that David Raya will remain as Arsenal's No1 after a third consecutive season in which he won the Golden Glove award.

In front of him, Gabriel and William Saliba remain one of the best centre-back pairings in Europe. Cristhian Mosquera has impressed when filling in but is not yet ready to challenge those two as a regular starter.

The Gunners are in the market for a full-back to add depth to their options, particularly if Ben White leaves this summer.

Top transfer targets: Arsenal want to sign both Ayyoub Bouaddi and Morgan Rogers this summer

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However, it is expected that Jurrien Timber will still be first-choice at right-back, fitness depending, while Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori battle it out on the left.

If Calafiori can stay fit, his unpredictability in the final third could give him the edge in Arteta's ideal starting lineup. Hincapie will join on a permanent deal from Bayer Leverkusen following a successful season-long loan spell.

Signing a midfielder is high on Arsenal's wishlist and initial talks have taken place over a move for Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi, though no formal approach has yet been made to Lille.

The 18-year-old's reputation is growing rapidly after two impressive performances at the World Cup and he is valued at around £70million.

Bouaddi can also play at right-back but he would primarily give Arteta more depth in midfield.

The teenager could play alongside Declan Rice or even as the sole holding midfielder if the Englishman was rested or used further up the pitch as a No8.

Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are likely to battle it out to play in the most advanced midfield role.

Eze can play on the left but Arsenal's priority this summer is to sign a new winger and that is likely to limit the minutes he gets out wide.

Arsenal are very interested in signing Morgan Rogers and there is a confidence that he would be keen to join if a fee can be agreed with Aston Villa.

Rogers could slot in on the left of the front three but with the freedom to roam inside and link up with Odegaard or Eze.

There is confidence that Morgan Rogers would be keen to join Arsenal if a fee can be agreed

A move for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis has also been considered and could still materialise, but that would likely be in addition to a more marquee signing in that position.

On the opposite flank, Bukayo Saka is a guaranteed starter if fit but his Achilles injury remains an issue and will be one Arsenal manage when he joins up for pre-season later in the summer.

There is uncertainty over who will lead the line for Arsenal next season. Viktor Gyokeres scored 21 goals in his first campaign at the club but for significant periods did not look particularly well-suited to the team.

Although the Swede improved markedly towards the end of the season, Kai Havertz is still Arteta's preferred option in attack when fit.

It has not been ruled out that Arsenal could look to sign a striker this summer and doing so would cast doubt over the future of either Gyokeres or Havertz, who has two years left on his contract.

However, while Arsenal are huge admirers of Julian Alvarez and sporting director Andrea Berta would love to bring him to north London, a move does not appear realistic as it stands.

That money is instead far more likely to be spent on a winger and Rogers appears to be top of Arsenal's shortlist.