Arsenal surprised everyone, including their own fans, in the summer transfer window with the signings that they made, despite many believing that they had a very small transfer budget. The Gunners signed Nicolas Pepe, David Luiz, Kieran Tierney, and Dani Ceballos (on loan) this summer, strengthening their squad, especially the attack.
Although the side is much better than last season’s, they are not yet good enough to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are strong in attack, but their defence is still rather porous and riddled with errors.
But, a few signings could surely make Unai Emery’s side title contenders.
Let’s take a look at 3 players who can make Arsenal title contenders:
Ricardo Pereira
Arsenal’s first-choice right-back Hector Bellerin has been on the sidelines due to injury, but the Gunners don’t have a backup right-back which has resulted in young winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles playing in that position. The English side need a specialist right-back who can compete with Bellerin for that position, a player who can offer something in attack and defence.
One player who has impressed in the Premier League over the last year is Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira, who had a great debut year for the Foxes last season. The 25-year-old right-back was fourth on the list of most tackles made in the 2018-19 season (118 tackles), while also racking up 6 assists in the league – one less than the leading assist maker for Leicester City last season. Pereira is good at both ends of the pitch and has the energy to bomb up and down the flank, as well as be solid in defence.
Nathan Ake
Chelsea will be ruing the fact that they let Nathan Ake leave the club two seasons ago and join Bournemouth, where he has become a very important player for the Cherries. The Dutch central defender made more passes than any other Bournemouth player last season, while also tackling more than his teammates in the 2018-29 season.
Ake, who is just 24 years of age, has Premier League experience, can play the ball out of the back – which is quality that Emery requires in his defenders, while also being a smart tackler. He may not be the most physical defender, but he certainly has the ability to dictate the tempo and make quick interceptions and blocks in defence.
He is someone who, if signed by the Gunners, can form a long-term partnership at central defence with William Saliba.
Wilfred Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi is yet another Leicester City player who could be on the radar of the top 6 clubs. The defensive midfielder made the most number of tackles last season and has been a standout player for the Foxes in front of the back four.
The Nigerian international could be the perfect player for Arsenal’s midfield, who have been in desperate need for a quality defensive midfielder for years. Ndidi is good in the air, can make clean interceptions and tackles, and offers a great shield to the back four.