With the Granit Xhaka signing completed, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can move onto other targets, chief of them being a centre-forward and a centre-back. Arsenal struggled for goals last season, particularly against the lower-placed teams, while they committed costly errors at the back, which cost them vital points.
In order to correct those two problems, Wenger is expected to sign a striker and a central defender in the summer transfer window, having brought in the central midfield acquisition to cover for the departures of Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and, most likely, Mathieu Flamini.
Alvaro Morata of Juventus is reportedly Arsenal's number one target in the striking department, while Wenger is looking to the Serie A again in search of a defender, with Napoli's Senegal international defender Kalidou Koulibaly catching the Arsenal manager's eye, according to the Daily Mirror.
Morata is expected to be bought back by Real Madrid, who have been tipped to trigger the €30 million (around £23 million) buyback clause. Once that buyback clause is triggered, Real Madrid are expected to sell the Spain international to the highest bidder, with Arsenal thought to be preparing a package worth as much £51 million.
It remains to be seen if Wenger will shell out that kind of money for a striker who is not exactly prolific, but what is certain is that Arsenal require a striker. Perhaps the manager might consider buying someone like an Alexandre Lacazette or a Vincent Janssen, who has been scoring goals for fun in the Eredivisie.
However, all of those signings come fraught with risks, so all Wenger can do is make an informed decision, weigh the pros and cons and pull the trigger on one of the strikers, rather than waiting at the last moment in hope that someone like a Karim Benzema or Robert Lewandowski becomes available.
Arsenal, of course, also have the option of making an offer for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but his sky high wage demands looks likely to land him at Manchester United, where he will be reunited with Jose Mourinho.
Koulibaly is coming off an impressive season with Napoli, and with Per Mertesacker getting older, Gabriel still to convince he can be the man at the back and Calum Chambers still quite young, Wenger will see the advantages of bringing in another centre-back.
