5 players Arsenal should target in the summer

Looking ahead to this summer's transfer window, many Arsenal supporters were worried that creator-in-chief Mesut Özil would leave the club on a free transfer as top clubs were monitoring his contract situation. Fortunately though, the German playmaker signed a new and improved deal in January, assuring fans he'd stay for another three-and-a-half years.

However, not all is rosy. Jack Wilshere - who has been incredibly unfortunate with injuries in recent seasons - is yet to commit his future to the Gunners. He has impressed in midfield since returning from a season-long loan spell at AFC Bournemouth, so naturally there's a genuine fear he could leave for free this summer.

Despite this, it's clear that the north London club should make improving their backline a priority during the summer window. Having worked on improving their attacking options recently, it's important that they find a long-term replacement for Petr Cech while equally finding tough competition for senior defenders still at the club.

With all of that in mind, here are five top transfer targets that Arsenal should be looking towards in the summer months.

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#5 Jan Oblak

Oblak would be an expensive but worthwhile addition in north London.

The talented Atlético Madrid goalkeeper is in high demand with clubs including London rivals Chelsea and PSG reportedly monitoring his situation.

The 25-year-old would represent a wise long-term investment, one who has earned a ton of experience from playing in La Liga and excelling while doing so.

During his spell for the Spaniards, he has conceded an average of 0.6 goals per game, which is an impressive statistic to say the least. Cech on the other hand has been unreliable and inconsistent for a few seasons now, as it's becoming increasingly clear that he's coming to the end of his professional career at 35.

Naturally, he will not come cheap. His current release clause is valued at £88m (€100m) and although it's not a price to be sniffed at, he would be a valuable asset for years to come.

#4 Caglar Soyuncu

The highly-rated young defender currently plays for Bundesliga side Freiburg

Arsenal's head of recruitment Sven Mislintat has identified Caglar Soyuncu as a transfer target to join the Gunners this summer. They are in desperate need of an overhaul at the back as their weaknesses have regularly been exposed - this season is no exception.

Per Mertesacker is in his final season before he's set to become the club's Academy manager, while Laurent Koscielny's Achilles injuries have continued to place a strain on his level of consistency and regularity with which he plays.

The 21-year-old Turkish centre-back has been recognised as a long-term solution to the problems faced by Arsenal's defence at present and the fact he plays in the Bundesliga for Freiburg means he would not be a tough acquisition to make either.

Tall, imposing in the air and comfortable in possession as well as excellent defensively, it makes sense that Arsenal would be targeting a youngster of his quality.

#3 Max Meyer

The midfield maestro has impressed again this season for Schalke with his contract set to expire soon

Almost every top side is scrambling to get Max Meyer's signature after Schalke recently confirmed the talented midfielder will leave on a free transfer this summer.

The player himself is, fitness permitting, expected to be involved in Germany's World Cup squad and this could delay the progress of talks held with other clubs - unless a secret agreement is already in place.

However, it's probable that his agent is already on the lookout for the best sides who are showing genuine interest in his services.

The 22-year-old is a creative midfielder, one who has developed his game significantly in recent seasons and this term proven his capability to play as a deep-lying midfielder for the Royal Blues.

With news of Wilshere's future still uncertain and Santi Cazorla's lengthy injury woes a problem, Meyer would be another astute acquisition - similar to the one which saw Schalke's Sead Kolasinac ignore interest from a whole host of top European sides to join Arsenal last summer on a free too.

He is not highly-rated for nothing, has plenty of potential to fulfil and the Gunners will be hoping to convince him into joining them ahead of the new campaign.

#2 Ousmane Dembélé

Dembélé joined Barcelona last summer for a hefty price

This one is undoubtedly the most surprising on this list, given just how much Barcelona were prepared to splash on the former Rennes and Borussia Dortmund winger so early into his professional career.

Ousmane Dembélé, 20, signed a five-year contract with the La Liga leaders after they'd agreed an eye-watering £96.8m fee (plus £35m in add-ons) last summer.

The talented Frenchman's progress has stalled somewhat after sustaining lengthy spells out on the sidelines following muscular (hamstring and thigh) injuries.

He scored his first goal during their 3-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League last-16 earlier this month and speculation suggests he'd be interested in the possibility of a reunion alongside close friend Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in north London - the pair were previously a lethal duo in the final third for Dortmund.

It's highly unlikely that Barcelona would even consider parting ways with Dembélé at such a pivotal stage in his development, not least given how much they spent to capture his services. However, the versatile winger is the type of player that Arsenal must target if they are to improve over time in future.

#1 Kostas Manolas

The talented centre-back has continued his progress with Roma this term

A familiar name, Kostas Manolas has been heavily linked with a Premier League move in previous transfer windows - this summer could be the perfect time.

Having made more than 150 appearances for Serie A side Roma, the Greece international continues to rack up valuable experience and would be a welcome addition to Arsenal's backline as they look to strengthen.

It's likely that the 24-year-old would work well alongside the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding if a deal were to be concluded.

Possessing a few similar attributes to Koscielny, Manolas is quick enough to chase quicker attackers and has good upper body strength, welcoming physical challenges. Crucially, he rarely suffers from lapses in concentration which is an important but under-rated asset to have, especially in top-flight football where things can intensify at a moment's notice.

Manolas' presence could help improve the side's awareness at the back, while reducing the number of goals they concede in the process.