Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes his former club ‘have to make changes’ to avoid a repeat of the poor business in the transfer market.
The Gunners are in desperate need of a squad overhaul after a disappointing season that saw them finish eighth in the Premier League.
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David Luiz has left after his contract expired, while Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos are returning to Real Madrid after their loan spells.
Mikel Arteta has been trying to bring in new players, but are losing out to their Premier League rivals.
Aston Villa beat them to Norwich ace Emi Buendia, while Leicester look set to win the race to sign striker Odsonne Edouard from Celtic.
They have been linked to Ruben Neves of Wolves, according to The Times, and Yves Bissouma from Brighton, but those deals appear to be nowhere near close to being done.
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Petit questioned the club’s transfer policy after many failures in recent seasons.
He told talkSPORT: “How many times were they wrong in buying players at Arsenal? Defenders, Mustafi, Sokratis, with the same talent. They were adding players on players on players, but they were not difference between them.
“This is the end of the street for them. Make changes, you have to. It’s been the case for the last couple of years, but what have they done?
“It’s not a question of money as they have the money.
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“After all the famous Super League drop in the water, after all the frustration in the transfer market and the profile of the players who left, I can understand that they have to be careful by repaying the loan from the bank for the Emirates Stadium.
“I can understand that, but now it’s over it’s not the same anymore. Don’t tell me it’s because of COVID-19, when you spend £60million on players every single transfer market, you have the money to bring in talent.
“Can you tell me how you choose your talent? How you choose your profile? What is your target?”
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So just how dire are things at Arsenal? Pretty much every position needs something of an overhaul and here, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at what needs to be done.
Goalkeeper
Mat Ryan’s loan spell has come to an end leaving Bernd Leno and Alex Runarsson as the only two senior options.
Doubts still remain about Leno, with the club perhaps regretting the decision to sell Emi Martinez to Aston Villa last summer.
“I am still happy at Arsenal, Arsenal is still a big club, a big name in the world and in the Premier League,” Leno told Sky Sports last month.
“There is nobody in the dressing room who says: ‘I want to leave the club, I am not happy here anymore.”
The Gunners have been linked to Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, but one stumbling block is that he is currently banned from football for a doping offence.
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Defence
Luiz has left the club following the end of his contract, leaving a dearth of talent at the centre-back position.
Gabriel, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari are the options currently, with William Saliba having been out on loan with Nice this season.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba has been linked to the club, but it appears to not be the most pressing need for Arteta.
Doubts remain over Hector Bellerin’s future as he’s been linked with a return to Spain. Some reports over the weekend claim they could offer him to Atletico Madrid in return for Kieran Trippier.
Kieran Tierney has been one of the best players for Arsenal over the last season and is perhaps the only one in the defence assured of a starting place.
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Midfield
In the middle of the pitch is where Arteta most wants reinforcements to partner Thomas Partey, following his signing last summer, and someone who can create chances for the forwards.
Buendia seemed to fit the bill, but they now appear to have turned their attention to Ruben Neves and Yves Bissouma.
Alongside Partey, the midfield options are Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny, while Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe can also play in more advanced roles.
Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Matteo Guenudouzi have all been out on loan and Arteta must make decisions this summer.
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Forwards
There was much disappointment in this position this season with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being poor for most of the campaign, while the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Willian failed to impress.
Lacazette looks likely to leave while Willian also could be heading for an exit, but his contract could prove an issue.
Nicolas Pepe will be heading into his third season with the Gunners and needs to show more to justify the £71million they paid for him.
Gabriel Martinelli spent a large part of the season injured, but Arsenal fans will be glad to see him return.
Edouard was a major target for Arteta and it seems like he will have to go to the drawing board.
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