AFTV News

Who should start in the front three for Arsenal next season? By Jonny Bray The Gunners have an impressive roster of forwards ahead of next season.  Gabriel Jesus has joined the club from Manchester City, as has winger Marquinhos, with the Gunners also linked with moves for exciting players such as Serge Gnabry and Lucas Paquetá.  The club have signed Eddie Nketiah to a new deal, while young stars like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe both look sure to stay at The Emirates for another season.  To add to Mikel Arteta's list of big decisions, Nicolas Pépé and Gabriel Martinelli are also on the books, with both looking for more first-team football next season. So, with that in mind, who should start in the front three for Arsenal?  Striker  Jesus has to start the season as Arsenal's number nine.  But there is still a lot of debate surrounding what the Brazillian's best position actually is.  At City, he was often deployed on the right wing, and it is rumou...

Do Arsenal need Paulo Dybala after Gabriel Jesus' signing is confirmed? By Tom Masters With Arsenal confirming the signing of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, it appears that their front three has been finalised for next season.   Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both laid claims to be the starting wingers on the left and right respectively, and Jesus is destined to be the starting centre forward with Alexandre Lacazette leaving.   But Argentina forward Paolo Dybala is leaving Juventus this summer on a free transfer, and Arsenal have been heavily linked with him – the question is, do the Gunners need him?   Where would he play?   With the front three places seemingly taken, and Martin Ødegaard making the central attacking midfield position his own, it is not immediately obvious where the Argentine would fit into the Arsenal XI.   Of course, a player of his calibre would most likely come in and make his class known, but with Arsenal already...

By James Reid Christopher Nkunku has been one of Europe’s standout forwards this season, and it’s no surprise that there are a queue of clubs lining up for his services.  Nkunku netted 20 league goals for RB Leipzig last season along with 13 assists leading to the 2021-22 Bundesliga Player of the Season award, and stood out with his ability as an all-round forward.  Who is Nkunku?  24-year-old Nkunku may have rose to prominence this season but the Frenchman has been showing his talent for some time now.  Nkunku arrived at Leipzig from PSG in 2019 after playing a bit-part role for the Parisians.  His first season in Germany was impressive, with five goals and 13 assists, but it is this year that Nkunku has asserted himself as one of Europe’s premier forwards. Now, the question for Nkunku is whether he has outgrown eastern Germany and is ready for a new challenge.  What would he bring to Arsenal?  Arsenal desperately need a forward, and there is no doubt...

Who needs to leave Arsenal this summer? By James Reid As Mikel Arteta’s rebuild continues, the summer transfer window represents a key opportunity for Arsenal to move their squad to the next level. While failure to qualify for the Champions League was disappointing, particularly due to its agonising nature, there is a clear consensus that the current squad has some way to go before it can be considered truly of top four quality.  Lots of focus will rightly be about who Arteta brings in this window but equally important will be who moves on as Arsenal seek to mount a proper assault on the Champions League places next term.  Alexandre Lacazette  One player who looks almost certain to leave the Emirates is Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman’s current deal is due to expire this summer, and there is little sign of a new one – something that is probably best for both parties.  Lacazette has been a loyal servant for the Gunners but is not the clinical finisher in front of g...

How would qualifying for the Champions League boost Arsenal’s transfer planning? By Oliver Gafsen Mikel Arteta is two months away from a transfer window that will define his time at Arsenal, and   Champions   League   qualification could make all the difference in the hunt for next season's targets.  Despite recent wobbles against Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton, the top-four is still in the Gunners' hands, sitting three points behind Spurs with a game in hand. The Gunners will have the chance to wipe out the gap to their rivals in May's North London Derby, and although clashes against Chelsea and United stand in the way,  Tottenham have yet to travel to Anfield, and 2022 wouldn’t be the first time Arsenal were the beneficiaries of a Spursy collapse at the end of the season.    A year without European football has only brought home the importance of Arsenal's place on the continent, but we should also take a look at the transfer implications ...

Four Southampton players who Arsenal should try to sign Southampton may be coming off the back of a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, but that doesn't mean Ralph Hasenhüttl's squad is devoid of talented players. The Saints have proven that they are a hotbed of young talent for several years now, helping to develop elite European stars such as Virgil van Dijk. Hasenhüttl's side currently sit in 14th after a disappointing run of form, and next up is Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. So with that in mind, there is no better time to take a look at the four Southampton players Arsenal should try to sign this summer. James Ward-Prowse James Ward-Prowse is the least surprising name on this list. The midfielder has been a standout star for the Saints since his progression into the first team back in 2011. The Southampton academy graduate has been praised for his work rate and talent on the ball while also making set-pieces his point of difference. Arsenal may be strong in midfield, but...