16 January 2023 , 22:06
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Arsenal are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table but according to reports, Mikel Arteta is already plotting for similar joy next season.
As things stand, the Gunners sit eight points clear of their nearest challengers, reigning champions Manchester City, but are planning ahead so they can sustain a similar title tilt next term. Since his appointment as manager in late 2019, Arteta has drastically increased the technial quality of his squad with signings like club captain Martin Odegaard and talismanic forward Gabriel Jesus.
With that in mind, the Gunners boss is clearly in no mood to put a halt to that kind of transfer momentum any time soon. Fresh reports have emerged that West Ham skipper Declan Rice has already been earmarked by those at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy as next summer's priority signing.
Rice's West Ham contract expires in the summer of 2024, meaning the next summer transfer window presents the Hammers' last real chance of cashing in on their most prized asset.
The Hammers superstar is rumoured to have made clear he wants an East London exit in pursuit of Champions League football - something that is now widely expected to be on offer at the Emirates next season as a result of their performances so far.
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Given Arsenal could be competing on four fronts next term, Arsenal will need to drastically improve their strength in depth and they should be able to name two strong starting elevens.
Declan Rice has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY!Where will Arsenal finish this season? Comment below
Aaron Ramsdale is likely to keep his place between the sticks for both, with the 24-year-old silencing some of his critics after his remarkable performance in the Gunners 2-0 away win over fierce rivals Tottenham.
However, Benjamin White could be offered a rest for cup games as Arsenal are one of a number of clubs keeping tabs on Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda. The talented teen has a lengthy list of admirers that include the Gunners, Premier League rivals Manchester United and Italian giants Juventus.
At the heart of the Arsenal defence will surely be current pair Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba who complement each other perfectly and cancel out the other's weakness.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has established himself as arguably the most important player in Arteta's current structure, with the Ukrainian international somehow dictating the tempo of Arsenal's play from the left-back position.
In midfield is where Rice would be introduced, with the England international able to share game time with current duo Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey. Each game, one of the trio would sit out while the other two line up in the middle of the park.
The attacking midfield trio in front of them will of course conist of skipper Odegaard through the centre, Gabriel Martinelli on the left but Bukayo Saka could finally get some rest if Arteta finally lands Brazilian international Raphinha.
Arsenal were desperate to land his signature while at Leeds, but the winger's heart was set on joining Barcelona. After a difficult start to life at the Camp Nou mixed with the Spanish outfits precarious financial situation, the Gunners have reignited their interest.
Up top, once he returns from knee surgery will be talismanic forward Gabriel Jesus, though Eddie Nketiah has proved a more than capable deputy so far in the absence of the crocked former City star.
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Predicted Arsenal XI next season: Ramsdale; Fresneda, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Xhaka, ; Raphinha, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.