Arsenal legend Robert Pires has pinpointed three signings that Gunners boss Unai Emery should make this summer. Arsenal were only able to secure a loan deal for Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez in January as Emery made it clear that club couldn’t afford to sign anyone on a permanent deal. But last summer, they managed to secure the signatures of Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Matteo Guendouzi and Stephan Lichtsteiner.
The Gunners also managed to muster up an impressive 22-game unbeaten run that ended when they lost to Southampton in December. Since then, the problems that haunted Arsene Wenger’s final years at the club have threatened to creep up on Emery, but his side are still in contention for a top four finish.
And Pires, who won the Premier League with Arsenal during their famous ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003/04, believes there are three signings the club need to make in order for them to push on and challenge at a higher level next season.
“Arsenal are yet to see Suarez's full potential and they should look to make the deal permanent as soon as possible. He was fantastic at Villarreal and I have full faith he will be able to replicate the same form he showed whilst at the Spanish club, if given the chance,” he told Bwin. “He fits the mould of the type of player that Arsenal look for with our style of football. He’s excellent at dribbling, has superb vision and his overall technique is top class. “He’s spent a lot of time working with [Andres] Iniesta which has improved his game massively and they’re very similar in their styles of play. "If Arsenal can sign him permanently, I think he can help Arsenal and Emery start to really secure continuous top-four positions again in the Premier League. He’s new to the Premier League and to the country so he’ll need time to settle in, but if he’s given the time then he’ll be an excellent signing for Arsenal.”
Pires then turned his attention to PSG star Adrien Rabiot, who has fallen out of favour at the Parc De Princes, thanks to his insistence that he leaves the club as soon as possible. Rabiot was linked with Barcelona in January and came close to signing a deal but nothing could be agreed - and Pires thinks Arsenal have one advantage that could help bring the Frenchman to north London. “Rabiot is a very good player and Arsenal should be trying their best to secure his signature before any other club does. Arsenal have the advantage of Emery having already worked with him at PSG, which should hopefully sway Rabiot to join Arsenal,” he added. “He would be worth a big fee on the transfer market so the fact he’s free makes it a no brainer. If Emery can secure Rabiot then I think he’ll be able to fill the hole that will be left by Ramsey’s departure.”
Pires then made it clear that his former club should be looking to sign a replacement for Hector Bellerin, who is set to miss a hefty chunk of playing time because of a cruciate ligament injury. The ex-Gunners forward noted that Crystal Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be near the top of Emery’s summer shopping list.
“Arsenal should definitely be looking to sign Wan-Bissaka in the summer transfer window. He’s exactly the type of player that would suit the attacking full-back role that Arsenal like to play and he would definitely improve the team next season,” Pires asserted. “[Hector] Bellerín will have a long road to recovery and Arsenal won’t be wanting to rush him back in too quickly. There’s also the chance that his injury will be a recurring one so they need to have another full-back of the same high quality and I think Wan-Bissaka is that player.”
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