FC Arsenal are on the verge of a personnel upheaval following the loss of the Europa League final, which means missing out on the Champions League qualifiers. Especially in the defensive area there is a need for renewal. It is also open whether Mesut Özil will be allowed to stay under Unai Emery after a weak first season. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, on the other hand, will remain, but will once again be lured by Chinese clubs.
SOCCERSCORE and Goal have taken a close look at the squad of the crisis-stricken Gunners.
With the former Leverkusen Bernd Leno, Arsenal should have taken care of itself in the coming years. The 27-year-old showed very good performances in his premiere season after slight starting difficulties. The fact that he had to accept 45 goals in 36 compulsory games was rather due to the lack of stability of his opponents in front.
Nevertheless, there is a need for action at the goalkeeper position. The Czech veteran Petr Cech (37) hangs up his kicks and the Colombian David Ospina (30), who was last awarded to the SSC Naples, will in all probability remain loyal to the southern Italians. “We want to commit him firmly,” Naples coach Carlo Ancelotti already made clear in February. The deal could flush up to four million euros into the Gunners’ coffers, and an agreement between the two clubs is to be expected in the near future, according to Italian media reports.
Who could take on Leno in the future? Emi Martnez (26) and Dejan Iliev (24), both own-growers, have good chances of advancing into the professional squad. A risky solution, as both have almost no experience in the Premier League. The Argentinian Martinez has been under contract with the North Londoners for nine years, but has been awarded repeatedly. Most recently, he played for FC Reading. North Macedonian Iliev stood between the posts at the U23 of the Gunners last season.
Page 1: Gate – Two outlets are safe
Page 2: Defense – Emery’s largest construction site
Page 3: Midfield – What about Özil?
Page 4: Storm – fear for Aubameyang
