5 players Arsenal need to sign to win the Premier League next season

With Chelsea and Manchester City battling for the right to be the Premier League Champions come May, Arsenal once again seem to have lost the plot to challenge for the title due to the absence of some quality players in their squad.Though the January transfer window has seen some activity, Arsene Wenger must strengthen his squad before the next season to finally be capable of challenging for the title, something that has eluded them for more than a decade. Here are the players Arsenal should sign if they want to challenge for the Premier League title again:

#5 Petr Cech

200 clean sheets is not a natural occurrence for any goalkeeper in this day and age. Although Petr Cech has done it all in his time at Chelsea, he looks set to be heading towards the exit door at Stamford Bridge after being usurped from his position by Thibaut Courtois.

The way he has taken to not being the first choice keeper at Chelsea has been very professional, and Chelsea may reciprocate it with a professional gesture of their own, if he does want to leave the club in the summer.

Wojciech Szczesny has not been the keeper Arsenal would love to have and there have been critical lapses in concentration, that have caused Arsenal to lose crucial points. His replacement David Ospina has been hampered by injuries, therefore leaving the Gunners with no quality back-up plan at that position.

Signing Cech, who could cost as less as £7 million, would definitely help add stability to Arsenal’s play at the back, and his experience could prove extremely valuable in big matches against far tougher opposition. Wenger is a big admirer of Cech, and attempted to sign him from Rennes before he joined Chelsea in 2004. The only stumbling block could be Mourinho’s willingness to sell to a Premier League rival, but Wenger will be hoping he gets lucky this time.

#4 Edinson Cavani

Cavani has cut a frustrated figure at Paris-Saint Germain

The future of Edinson Cavani had been put into doubt even more, after he arrived late for training at PSG, once the winter break was done. Considering Arsenal will have to smash their transfer record, a move for Cavani would certainly raise eyebrows around the football world.

Since Robin Van Persie has left, there really hasn’t been a true replacement for him, which may be the reason separating Arsenal, from the rest of their title rivals. Alexis Sanchez’s first season at Arsenal has been remarkable to say the least, as the goals keep flowing, but the over-reliance on him, caused by injury worries and lack of finishing from Welbeck and Giroud is a cause for concern.

Some reports suggest that Cavani is unhappy at PSG, with Laurent Blanc repeatedly playing him on the right of midfield, and that Wenger is already working on a deal for the superstar, which would definitely break the Gunners’ transfer record. The prospect of a Cavani-Sanchez front two would definitely send shivers down the spines of most defences in the Premier League.

#3 Marco Reus

The opportunity to sign Reus is one the Arsenal manager cannot afford to pass up.

Although Arsenal were unsuccessful in making a bid for Reus, the Gunners are said to be monitoring his situation closely, to decide whether to line up a move before the beginning of next season for the Germany international. Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp wants to keep the superstar winger, though a sizeable offer in excess of what is mentioned as Reus’ buyout clause, maybe hard to resist

Buying Reus will be no easy feat though, as most of the top European clubs seem to have more than a passing interest in signing this talented German, and to tempt Reus to leave Dortmund looks to be a very difficult task. The presence of fellow Germans, Ozil and Mertesacker, might swing the deal in Arsenal’s favour.

According to one British Newspaper, Reus does have concerns that he will be unable to challenge for major honours at the Emirates. However, he could in combination with Mesut Ozil playing through the centre and Alexis Sanchez on the right, give Arsenal one of the most feared attacking midfield units in world football.

He could be used in a 4-2-1-3 formation, with him playing the role of the no. 10 just behind the three in front or he could line up on the left of an attacking three of a 4-2-3-1, both of which will surely elevate Arsenal’s title charge next season.

Signing him would be a statement of intent and will put a few of the Arsenal players’ futures in doubt, ensuring that they improve the level of their play. As unlikely as it may seem, Reus would be potent in Arsenal’s attacking lineup.

#2 Mats Hummels

Hummels would shore up a weak Arsenal backline.

Mats Hummels, is one defender who has been consistently linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League after his performances in the World Cup and for Dortmund in recent years. However, he has so far resisted the temptation to move away from Germany. The acquisition of Hummels will bolster Arsenal’s defence in a massive way.

When Thomas Vermaelen left Arsenal to join Barcelona, many fans cried out for a new central defender since the partnership of Mertesacker and Koscielny, had been good, but not as good as they would have wanted it to be. The past year or so has seen a lack of defensive command in the Arsenal ranks, with Mertesacker, in particular, singled out for his inconsistency on many occasions.

Although, he has been hit by injuries this season, Mats Hummels is at the top end in terms of quality defenders around, and Arsenal should definitely do all they can to sign the German international.

Hummels would be more than an excellent replacement for his German counterpart, and in tandem with Koscielny and new signing Gabriel, could form the core of what could turn out to be a very stable defence indeed. His powerful presence and innate passing ability, from the defence would be ideal for Wenger's side.

#1 William Carvalho

Carvalho could be the answer to Arsenal’s problems in defensive midfield

The most important position where Arsenal have to strengthen seems to be in the centre of midfield. It is the requirement that needs to be addressed before the next season begins as the chance to sign him in January didn’t really come up. Since the departure of Patrick Viera, there has clearly been the lack of a physical presence in midfield who could protect the back four.

After being consistently linked with Arsenal over the past year, it seems that the a move appears to be on the cards in the summer. With players like Diaby and Arteta now not as effective as before (the former has hardly made any appearances due to injuries, while the latter is getting on in age), Carvalho could more than be a replacement for either of them, and could prove to be key to Arsenal’s title charge next season, if the transfer does materialize.

He could play the same role that Matic does for Chelsea; a player who can track back and also initiate an attack if needed. His position in front of the back four would be of vital importance to Wenger’s team, considering the physicality and pace he would add, if he does sign. The only stumbling block could be the transfer fee, with Sporting holding out for the maximum offer possible, considering he is one of their prized assets.