Mikel Arteta is seeking to solve one major Arsenal problem this summer, and will take his team to the next level if he is successful.
Arsenal were excellent last season, albeit somewhat imbalanced.
The Gunners had a bias in their attacking play, favouring their right flank. Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Martin Odegaard all share brilliant chemistry, meaning Mikel Arteta’s side tended to build up their moves on that side of the pitch.
Whilst this was often a successful ploy, as Saka, Odegaard, and White possess the quality required to break teams down, this situation does mean that the Gunners aren’t maximising their potential in the final third.
By contrast, Arsenal are less cohesive on the left-hand side. Gabriel Martinelli was often left isolated on that wing last season, there was plenty of chopping and changing at left-back, and a long-term solution for the left-eight midfield role still needs to be found.
Arteta is now seeking to address both of those positions.
Arsenal want Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino to solve major problem
Arsenal have already signed Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian defender is comfortable at centre-back, but can also play at left-back and is expected to get a lot of game time in the full-back role.
Arteta has lost faith in Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is something of a defensive liability. Calafiori offers a far greater physical presence than the Ukrainian, but is also excellent on the ball and possesses great attacking instincts.
Arsenal are also pushing to sign Mikel Merino. The Real Sociedad midfielder could be the ideal fit at left-eight for the Gunners.
The 28-year-old is creative enough to combine with Martinelli, crafting opportunities for the winger to exploit. Merino is also another tremendously physical player, and will help Arsenal to win duels higher up the pitch, much in the same way that Granit Xhaka did when he performed that role for Arteta.
Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Martinelli could be set for boost
If Arteta’s plan comes off, and Arsenal’s new look left-hand side can click and start firing on all cylinders then the Gunners will instantly become an even more dangerous proposition to face than they already are.
This could be the difference between winning the Premier League title and falling short again, and could therefore define the manager’s legacy.
Not only would this upgrade take some pressure off the likes of Saka, Odegaard, and White, but it will also help Martinelli to get back to his best.
The Brazilian struggled to impress consistently last season, due in no small part to the lack of support and structure around him. If Arteta can set his side up in way that coaxes the best out of the 23-year-old, as he has with Saka, then the forward has the capacity to be a devastating force in the Premier League.
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