Arsenal’s dream XI after Sesko deal, Williams breakthrough and 12 players leave

Arsenal are expecting a busy summer on the transfer front ahead of next season with Benjamin Sesko and Martin Zubimendi having been linked with sensational moves to the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal will be desperate to end their long trophy drought next season, with the Premier League title firmly in their crosshairs. The Gunners have gone very close in each of the last three campaigns.

So, what would help them finally bridge that gap? Transfers of course. And with the window now open, Mikel Arteta’s side could be set to splash the cash very soon indeed.

Plenty of players have already been linked with stunning moves to North London including Martin Zubimendi and Benjamin Sesko. And while there could be some big moves on the way, a few of the squad’s current stars may have to be moved on to make room.

So how would that leave Arsenal ’s starting XI looking like next season? Mirror Football takes a look:

After ousting Aaron Ramsdale upon his arrival, David Raya appears to have the number one position locked down. The back-to-back golden glove winner appears to be going nowhere.

But Arsenal could potentially look to sign a new back-up stopper, with Neto returning to Bournemouth after his loan spell. Karl Hein could also depart permanently.

The defence in front of him will also look very familiar despite interest from elsewhere. Myles Lewis-Skelly and William Saliba have both been linked with moves to Spanish giants Real Madrid but Arteta will be desperate to keep them away from the Bernabeu ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber have proven to be key players over recent seasons so they appear sure to stay in North London for the foreseeable future. But there could however be some defensive exits.

Kieran Tierney will return to former club Celtic, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Nuno Tavares are all candidates to depart. The first major change to Arsenal’s starting XI could come in midfield.

Who should Arsenal sign this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with reports earlier this year suggesting that Arsenal were in the driving seat. There have been some slight doubts that a deal could happen with Zubimendi recently admitting his admiration of Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso but the Gunners will be hopeful that they are still at the front of the queue.

And should he seal a switch to the Emirates, Zubimendi could assemble an eye-catching midfield alongside record signing Declan Rice and current captain Martin Odegaard. That move would also cover for the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, with the former already confirming his exit ahead of a move to Brazil, while Partey is also out of contract.

It’s in attack where the most dramatic changes could come. Loanees Reiss Nelson and Marquinhos are set to leave permanently, while Raheem Sterling will not be returning to the Emirates Stadium following his disappointing move from Chelsea.

Arteta’s dream would likely be a swoop for Bilbao star Nico Williams. The Spaniard has long been a target for Arsenal, albeit the finances behind a deal have prohibited them from making their move. But should the club’s owners follow through with their promise to spend big, Williams would be an ideal addition for the left-wing.

And he would dovetail brilliantly with academy graduate Bukayo Saka, who has the right-wing berth locked down for years to come, should he stay at the Emirates. He could even have a new striker to provide for.

Arsenal have been after a new striker for some time given Gabriel Jesus’ ongoing fitness issues. There are two candidates heading into the summer, with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko among the frontrunners.

As it stands, the RB Leipzig star looks the most likely to become a Gunner ahead of next season with a £70m transfer fee having been touted. The 22-year-old scored 21 goals for the German side last season. That would likely leave Kai Havertz in a tricky position but it appears unlikely that he would be allowed to leave as it stands.

Potential Arsenal XI: Raya; Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Williams, Sesko, Saka.