5 players Unai Emery should try to sign this summer

Modified Feb 20, 2019 06:06 GMT

Arsenal started the season on a very promising note and it looked as though they would get a top 4 spot in order to qualify for the Champions League next season. However, things started to change around November and yet again this season, they have been struggling to score in the first half.

This has led to a frustrating amount of dropped points and some poor performances. However, they have definitely improved under Unai Emery and could still finish 4th if they are lucky.

Their only chance of a trophy is now the Europa League which they are joint-favourites for, along with Chelsea. This is their only possible way to achieve a trophy and many believe that they will win the Europa League.

Looking on to next season, things could be very different. Unai Emery will have had a chance to improve his players and adapt to the English game so it seems likely that they could, in some peoples' opinions, challenge for the Premier League. However, in order to do this, they must make some signings in the summer transfer window.

It is expected that Unai Emery will be given a transfer budget of around £100 million but this seems a maximum and not a penny more will be spent due to the club's high wage bill. Here is a list of 5 players who Arsenal could realistically sign this summer, who would help to improve both the first team and the squad depth.

#5 Jadon Sancho

Tottenham Hotspur v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

The anchester City graduate has improved hugely this season at Borussia Dortmund. He has also made his England debut on the 12th of October 2018 against Croatia. For the club, he has also been very impressive with 8 goals and 9 assists in all competitions this season.

He may even win his first trophy with Borussia Dortmund, who are currently leading the Bundesliga title race. Dortmund are currently demanding a price of £90 million for Jadon Sancho, which would be a huge return on the £8 million they spent in 2017. However, it remains unclear whether Arsenal would pay that much for Sancho.

#4 Nicolas Pepe

The 23-year-old currently plays for Lille and has attracted some top clubs after scoring 17 goals in Ligue 1 this season.

He is definitely worth a lot to Lille and it seems as though Lille would charge a large amount for his services. Bayern Munich has also been reported to be interested in Nicolas Pepe and so Arsenal must act quickly to ensure that they get their man.

At 23 years of age, he has a lot of potential and Unai Emery would be keen to sign him, especially due to the lack of real wingers at Arsenal, apart from Alex Iwobi.

#3 Ben Chilwell

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City - Premier League

Ben Chilwell has had a fantastic season and has managed to persuade Gareth Southgate to give him a chance for England, and he has been hugely impressive. It seems as though he will make the England Euro 2020 squad, considering the way he is currently playing.

Unai Emery will be keen to sign him due to the fact that at 32, Nacho Monreal is getting to the end of his time at Arsenal. Sead Kolasanic also does not seem to fit into Unai Emery's style of play and so, Chilwell would be a great replacement.

It seems that Leicester City will charge around £50 million for the left-back which seems like a bargain after the post-Neymar transfer market. Do you think he should leave Leicester or should he remain at the club for a little longer?

#2 Kostas Manolas

Kostas Manolas, at 27 years of age, has a fine future ahead of him. Manolas is a calm defender and is exactly what Unai Emery needs, especially after Arsenal have struggled in defence this season.

However, the Gunners would have to fight off interest from Juventus who also seem interested in Manolas due to their ageing defence. It seems that Manolas would cost Arsenal around £50 million. This would clearly be money well spent based on his experience and the skill that he brings to the table.

#1 Ever Banega

Unai Emery has plenty of experience with Ever Banega. This is due to the fact that Banega played over 200 times for the current Arsenal manager and so, he would be a great fit. Banega won 2 of his 3 Europa League titles with Unai Emery and it is well known that they had a good relationship.

In the past, Arsenal have considered Banega, and with Aaron Ramsey leaving this summer to join Juventus, Banega may actually join the club. However, at 30 he is not a long term option and Unai Emery may be put off by this.

It would be unlikely for Banega to be able to play week in week out in the future. He would, however, be a good short term option perhaps just for a season to improve the squad depth at Arsenal.

Edited by Aditya Hosangadi