Arsenal could be even stronger next season if they have a good summer (Image: Getty)
Arsenal are still basking in the glory of their monumental triumph over Atletico Madrid. A narrow home victory in their Champions League semi-final second-leg clinched a 2-1 aggregate success and confirmed their place in the final for the first time since 2006, delivering one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history.
Each player’s display, alongside the supporters’ contribution, suggests everything is coming together for Mikel Arteta‘s side as they pursue history with just four matches remaining across the two most prestigious competitions. In the Premier League, three victories from three fixtures would deliver their first title since 2004, while Budapest later this month offers an opportunity to claim a European trophy for the first time in the club’s history.
The north Londoners could be even stronger next season, though, as we examine how they could line up in 2026/27…
The Spaniard has quietly cemented his reputation as one of the finest goalkeepers in world football. Raya brings calmness under pressure when opposition sides look to press high and possesses the ability to distribute with precision, whether playing short or launching the ball long.
This season has seen him produce some stunning acrobatic stops at crucial moments and he remains one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Right-back – Jurrien Timber
Despite his injury concerns over the past month or so, nobody should underestimate just how outstanding Timber was during the first half of the season in particular.
He remains amongst the most accomplished one-vs-one defenders in the squad and was pivotal to the backline that went several matches without conceding a shot on target.
Fatigue saw his displays dip slightly after Christmas, but the Dutchman is still amongst the finest players in his position in the country.
Centre-backs – William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes
Saliba and Gabriel have rightly established themselves as the finest central defensive pairing in European football in recent years. Saliba conducts his duties with such ease that his defensive work often goes unnoticed, while Gabriel is the pulsating core of the backline, imposing himself with thunderous challenges and commanding aerial duels.
Arsenal will be keen to retain the pair for many years ahead, with only trophies now standing between them and the acclaim and reverence that Steve Bould and Tony Adams once commanded.
Left-back – Riccardo Calafiori
There’s a compelling reason why Arteta continues with the Italian despite his recurring fitness problems. When available, Calafiori is a genuine jewel, equally capable as an attacking left-back, a solid centre-half or a cultured figure moving infield.
While Piero Hincapie may provide a marginal defensive improvement, Calafiori’s offensive capabilities make him the clear first choice on the left side.
Central midfielders – Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal’s midfield equilibrium has appeared unsettled for much of the campaign. As the season has progressed, it has become apparent that, for all of his defensive attributes, £51m summer acquisition Martin Zubimendi is not the No. 6 many anticipated.
The Spaniard excels when disrupting attacks across the pitch or drifting into the opposition penalty area undetected, but he is not Arsenal’s solution to Rodri in terms of dictating the game’s rhythm or delivering passes between the lines.
For that reason, pairing him with Rice, who boasts an exceptional work rate and is composed in possession, but similarly doesn’t seek to deliver incisive passes, has left the Gunners regularly lacking creativity in the centre of the pitch this campaign.
However, Arteta over the past two matches appears to have acknowledged the requirement for somebody capable of providing more forward-thinking distribution and greater boldness when confronting opposition midfielders.
That individual is Lewis-Skelly, who was thrust into the thick of it against both Fulham and Atletico, featuring in his first senior minutes in midfield during two of the most pressurised encounters of the season, only to earn applause for his accomplished performances.
Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly could form a formidable midfield partnership (Image: Getty)
Eze’s match-winning attributes have become increasingly evident throughout the campaign. He has incorporated greater intensity into his game when pressing to complement his capacity to drift past defenders. That renders him indispensable to the Arsenal squad, given he is amongst the few players capable of weaving through compact defences and creating numerical advantages.
His innate instinct for finding the back of the net is another immensely valuable quality, as he has demonstrated in crucial moments this season.
With Eze’s inclusion requiring the struggling Martin Odegaard to be dropped to the substitutes’ bench, Arsenal would need to appoint a new skipper. Saka currently holds the vice-captaincy, but Rice has stepped up admirably in his absence this season, leading the side both on and off the pitch at pivotal moments.
It stands to reason, therefore, that the midfield powerhouse should be handed the permanent captaincy going forward.
Saka’s displays may not have scaled the heights many anticipated this season, yet the Arsenal fan-favourite has demonstrated precisely how influential he can be when fully fit in recent matches.
An Achilles complaint continues to hamper the winger, meaning his minutes must be carefully monitored moving forward.
Nevertheless, he remains amongst the finest operators in the game when it comes to his decision-making, almost invariably delivering the right pass or picking the perfect moment to leave his marker for dead.
Left-wing – Bradley Barcola
The single position where Arsenal can evidently bolster their squad this summer is on the left flank. Gabriel Martinelli has contributed crucial goals in the Champions League, while Leandro Trossard has displayed flashes of quality throughout the campaign.
However, neither player represents a genuinely world-class solution. Arsenal require a winger who possesses Martinelli’s electrifying speed while also displaying Trossard’s technical proficiency.
Barcola, valued at approximately £60million by Transfermarkt, is consequently the most suitable candidate. The Frenchman proves lethal on the break but can equally unpick defensive blocks, displaying smooth dribbling and excellent off-the-ball movement.
He is understood to be receptive to a summer move given Luis Enrique’s inclination towards alternative wide choices, and Arsenal ought to make every effort to secure his signature.
Barcola’s sporadic playing time has hindered his form this season but his genuine class was evident last term, when he registered 44 goal contributions in 64 appearances.
Striker – Viktor Gyokeres
The debate surrounding Gyokeres has persisted throughout the campaign. There is little doubt that his hold-up play and technical qualities have fallen below expectations on occasion.
However, in recent weeks, everything appears to have fallen into place for the Swede, who is now performing like the No. 9 Arsenal supporters have been clamouring for over the years.
His performance against Atletico was unquestionably his best in an Arsenal shirt. Gyokeres exploited the spaces between defenders, harassed opponents and linked up with his team-mates, proving a constant threat to the opposition alongside his powerful striking ability.
Of course, there remain fixtures where Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino’s technical abilities render them the better options. However, as a consistent week-to-week striker, Gyokeres warrants selection in the starting line-up more regularly than not moving forwards.
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