How Arsenal's monster new £498m starting line-up could look if late window transfers go through

Timber or White? Odegaard, Nwaneri or a new arrival? And who will partner Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka up front? Mikel Arteta has some delightful selection choices to make once the transfer window slams shut as Arsenal look to finally make the leap from three successive silver medals to champions of England once again.

The Gunners are probably the big six team who could improve the most in the remain transfer window with stars including Rodrygo and Eberechi Eze still linked with a move to the Emirates further strength in depth, and we've taken that into account here. As big a change as the strength of Arteta’s best XI is, arguably just as important is the improvement in depth at key positions.

Saka now has an accomplished backup in Noni Madueke while Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera are able deputies in defence and midfield - the former could turn out to be one of the bargains of the summer - and key players were also locked down with contract extensions until the end of the decade.

That means there is more scope for rotation this season as the Gunners again fight on four fronts, but this is how they could look for the biggest games…

How Arsenal’s goalkeeper and defence could look

Raya (£27m), Timber (£38m), Saliba (£27m), Gabriel (£27m), Lewis-Skelly (n/a)

Given Arsenal boasted the best defence in the entire division last season, the manta ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it certainly applies here.

This back-line combined with joint Golden Glove recipient David Raya to concede over 20% less goals than Liverpool, as it was issues at the other end of the pitch that really haunted the Gunners last campaign.

Not many saw Ben White - unlucky to miss out on the 2023/24 PFA Team of the Season as one of the best right-backs in the division - losing his place in the starting squad last campaign but following preseason he once again appears to be on the outside looking in to kick off his fifth season in north London.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes remain arguably the best centre-back pairing on the planet though Arteta will hope he’ll have both players available for more than the 26 occasions they played together in the Premier League in 2024/25

Meanwhile on the left all eyes will be on whether Myles Lewis-Skelly can follow up on a golden breakout campaign. He could well have a new partner further up the pitch too…

The midfield Mikel Arteta could have at his disposal

Zubimendi (£55.8m), Rice (£105m), Eze (£68m)

The character of Arsenal's midfield off the pitch at least looks like it's improved by sending Thomas Partey to La Liga in return for Martin Zubimendi, which really is worth the £56m all by itself.

On paper the Spaniard should be an upgrade on the field too, the antidote to Arsenal's troubles against low blocks with his ability to evade the press in midfield and transport the ball up the field leaving opposition players behind.

That in turn should allow the Ballon d’Or nominee to push further up the pitch and play the role he's been working towards since he stepped up from centre-back to midfield at West Ham. Finally, it may seem sacrilege to demote Martin Odegaard to the bench - and this time 12 months ago it would've been unthinkable especially given the prolific relationship he enjoys with Saka.

However, the arrival of Eze would change all of that as Arsenal look to talk Crystal Palace down from their £68m valuation. With Zubimendi more of a creative threat from the base of midfield and Rice given the freedom to push further up to the edge of the penalty area, taking up some of Odegaard’s attacking responsibilities, there's scope for a more direct goal threat at number 10.

Incidentally, that shirt is still available too… and Eze could be the missing piece for Arsenal. With Gyokeres expected to lead the line in a manner not seen by red and white centre-forwards last season, there should be more scope for an aggressive attacking midfielder to probe the increased space between the opposing defence and midfield and Eze fits the bill perfectly.

While he’s never had seasons as prolific as the Norwegian's two best, stepping up to a club like Arsenal would surely boost Eze’s impressive goal contribution numbers even further. Whoever Arteta picks, Ethan Nwaneri is a hell of a second rotation option too.

How Arsenal’s lethal attack could shape up after Deadline Dau

Bukayo Saka (n/a), Viktor Gyokeres (£63.5m), Rodrygo (£86.5m)

Would this be the best front three in the world? If the two new faces can hit the ground running at the Emirates they’d certainly make a compelling case.

Bukayo Saka has been one of the best right-wingers on the planet for years now and such was Arsenal’s over-reliance on him that they were the team that launched the highest percentage of attacks down that flank last season.

The rumours linking Rodrygo to the Gunners for an eye-watering €100m (£86.5m) had died down after Arteta’s side were linked to pretty much every left-winger who could be on the market - Rafael Leao, Jamie Gittens, Anthony Gordon and Jeremy Corbyn to name just a few.

However, they’ve resurfaced recently as it becomes increasingly clear that the Brazilian isn’t part of Xabi Alonso’s plans in the Spanish capital, a somewhat baffling decision.

Finally, Gyokeres has the power to become Arsenal’s next great number 14 and lead Arsenal back to the Premier League title like Thierry Henry before him if he finds his best form as a Gunner.