The Position-by-Position Guide to Arsenal Transfer Targets

It’s been a rough year for the Gunners, but hope is renewed each summer as we head into the transfer window to see who Arsenal might sign to improve their squad and give them a chance at breaking their title drought next season. Toward that end, here’s a list of top targets for the Gunners sorted by position:

Goalkeeper: Julian Draxler

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The creative force may be under contract for several more years, but the opportunity to realize his boyhood dream of playing at the Emirates should be enough to coax him away. The cost would be high, but we have to recognize that Petr Cech's goal and assist production is below par for Arsenal, the greatest club in the world.

Center Back: Gylfi Sigurdsson

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With his long range passing ability and clever movement, Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson is an excellent option to deputize alongside the world-class Frenchman Laurent Koscielny in the Arsenal defense.

Left Back: Antoine Griezmann

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Despite fierce competition from Manchester United, Atletico's Antoine Griezmann is the perfect fit for Arsenal to replace Nacho Monreal.

Right Back: Riyad Mahrez

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Though he is also being linked with a move to Barcelona, Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez offers the championship pedigree the Gunners need in their squad and will be an excellent fit at right back. In fact, he’s won more Premier League titles than anyone in the Arsenal squad besides Petr Cech and has made more Champions League quarterfinal appearances than anyone besides Cech, Alexis, Danny Welbeck, and Mesut Ozil.

Central Midfield: Nolito

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He has fallen out of favor at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, so Spaniard Nolito may be available at a bargain price. He’d bring veteran experience and a more direct attacking style to the team and would be excellent in midfield alongside Granit Xhaka.

Left Wing: Moussa Sissoko

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Though he has failed in his time at Spurs, winger Mousa Sissoko has routinely looked a star man while playing for France and put in a number of good shifts at Newcastle. His strong left foot and precise passing ability will be welcome additions to the team and he will be an outstanding option for the club at left wing.

Right Wing: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

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Though we’ll have to beat Real Madrid for his signature, Dortmund attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be an excellent option at right wing. As an added bonus, he already has extensive experience losing to Bayern Munich so that will prove useful as he blends in to a new squad and new league.

Central Attacking Midfield: Mesut Ozil

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With Mesut Ozil pulling the strings here, we don’t see any need to sign anyone else.

Center Forward: James Rodriguez

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Colombian attacker James Rodriguez may be on the outs at Real Madrid. He has struggled for regular playing time and doesn’t have an obvious position in manager Zinedine Zidane’s typical 4-3-3 shape. But given his remarkable attacking ability, diminutive size, frequent fitness issues, and reluctance to defend he seems an ideal signing for the Gunners as they seek to reload heading into next season.