Arsenal face an important summer as they look to end their two-decade wait for Premier League success. The Gunners have been edged out in the top-flight in their two previous campaigns after being made to suffer by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
The North London club bid farewell to a number of players after their contracts expired at the Emirates Stadium, with Mohamed Elneny and Cederic Soares among the list of departures. Around the Premier League, there has been a clamour for sales as clubs battle to steer clear of the Premier League Profit and Sustainability danger zone. Arsenal did not fall under the umbrella of teams under threat.
Arsenal have been linked with talents across Europe this summer, including Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Everton midfielder Amadou Onana. With the future of Thomas Partey uncertain going into the final 12 months of his deal, Declan Rice will likely need a viable partner while question marks have emerged about the quality in depth within the wide ranks in the capital.
Arsenal could be busy in the transfer window, and while fans continue to pick up the bones of the daily transfer rumours, AI has had its say too. OLBG has used the tool to predict how the coming months will transpire in the Premier League, and it has come up with some juicy deals.
Artificial intelligence has broken up the criteria into three different sections: ‘key areas to strengthen’, ‘transfer strategy’ and ‘type of players’. The technology has dissected the strategy into different points, such as focusing on proven talent, financial prudence and squad balance.
Meanwhile, technological ability, tactical intelligence, physical attributes, character and leadership are the four levels of criteria for the type of players the club have been predicted to target. Rice became Arsenal’s record signing after his £100million move from West Ham United, but despite his stint, the intelligence has highlighted the need for a top-quality midfielder to provide depth and versatility with Toffees star Onana and Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino due to their ball-winning ability and their energy in the middle of the pitch.
Gabriel Jesus is another player who faces an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium. The Brazilian has struggled to live up to his price tag after arriving fromn City in one of the first pieces of business under Arteta. Kai Havertz arrived last summer and showed signs of becoming a quality addition with important goals during the latter stages of the campaign, but AI has pinpointed the department for bolstering.
Eddie Nketiah is another forward option who faces speculation with a move away from the Emirates Stadium. The technology has described Arsenal’s need for another high-calibre striker to enhance their goal-scoring output.
Dusan Vlahovic has emerged as a possible candidate this summer, but the Gunners have long been linked with the 24-year-old Serbian after expressing an interest during his time at Fiorentina. Victor Osimhen has also emerged as an option, aligning with real-life after the Nigerian has been strongly linked with a Premier League move.
Arsenal will likely face competition for his signature following reports that Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs with Paris Saint-Germain. Although to caveat, there is an element of concern that they would struggle to afford either strike option due to the financial demands.
Georgian superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been pinpointed by AI as a target due to the need for depth away from Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian has been fantastic for Arsenal, but the 23-year-old has lacked any real competition behind him or replacements, and with the hectic schedule, there is a risk of burnout and an increase in injury problems due to the number of games in the calendar. Reports have suggested that the Napoli star is priced in the region of £87million, but there will be competition to land the attacker, with the Serie A side determined to keep ahold of the asset. AI has outlined Moussa Diaby as a possible alternative after a fine debut season in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
But a possible sale to their Champions League rivals could be a sticking point for Unai Emery’s side, following their impressive campaign last time out.
