Arsene Wenger made the point that if Arsenal wants to improve on their finish this year, it can only be by winning the league. After a crazy season like the one just ended, it would be rash to say they can't do it. How can it be done?
I'd keep Wenger for one more season. He deserves to go out on his own terms. He's as much as said that if he doesn't win the league next season, he's gone. He might consider leaving even if he does win. He may want to cap his career by managing the French national team. The major needs are at forward and center back. Cech was excellent, but I still like Szczesny and would bring him back after another year out on loan. He's been very good at Roma. Both deserve to start somewhere--Ospina as well--but obviously only one gets to wear #1. (Szczesny still has that number at Arsenal.) Gabriel is quite good, but Mertesacker is nearing the end of his career and Koscielny needs a strong partner. I don't know if Callum Chambers is ever going to achieve first team starting status; it's not looking good now. But a top quality CB alongside Kos, backed by (and rotated with) Gabriel, Per (for another year or two), and Chambers (who can also play RB and DM (poorly) in a pinch) would leave us in a strong position, If Gibbs leaves (who could blame him?) we're short at LB and have to get someone who can fill in for Monreal, who has been very fortunate to have escaped serious injury. I'm not sure if we need Jenkinson back behind Bellerin. Coquelin is an excellent DM, and Elneny seems capable of filling that role as well. Of course, everyone would love another top class DM, but that isn't the first priority now. The attacking mids and wingers on the books are very good, but Alexis is the only game-breaker, and even he was a step below Mahrez and DeBruyne. Walcott has not made the improvements necessary to convince, and his defensive weaknesses are so glaring that it's unwise to leave him on the field with Ozil, who also doesn't play much defense but whose vision and passing make his the first name on the team sheet when he's healthy. Iwobi can start for us next year. I'm warming to Joel Campbell. Ramsey has to stay, and probably Wilshere too. Cazorla can still start but may have just one or two more years at the top. I don't know if Ox will be a part of the puzzle. I really thought he was going to be a star. Of course, we need to keep Alexis--he's magical. Welbeck showed real promise, but he's crocked until next spring. Giroud is very good, puts in the work, and combines well, but he's struggled to score for long stretches. You can't depend on a lone striker who can go 15 games without a goal. Walcott's a disaster up there. I can't see Stan Kroenke signing a check for 75M pounds, though, so will it be another season of make do? Sanogo isn't burning up the Championship with Charlton. (I still want to buy Gestede from Villa. I bet he'd get on the end of Ozil's passes. I bet we could get him cheap, too.)
In view of the fabulous sums that the other big clubs will be spending, it will be hard to improve enough to outcompete everyone. But I can dream.
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