Arsenal manager Unai Emery could look to sign players in five different positions this summer - but he has earmarked two particular priorities. That’s according to Arsenal insider David Ornstein of BBC Sport. Arsenal face a summer of overhaul following Emery’s first season in charge, which is not quite over yet with the Europa League final to play against Chelsea in Baku on May 29.

That clash may go some way to defining the success of the Spanish head coach’s first campaign at the Emirates but it has overall been a generally positive campaign. Arsenal’s defence has once again let them down, conceding 51 goals in 38 Premier League games to see them finish in fifth and one point off of fourth-placed rivals Tottenham, but given the limited transfer funds available to Emery and the club’s injury problems, there is a feeling the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain coach has had an encouraging first 12 months in north London.

But the way in which Arsenal faded away in the top-four fight - winning just two of their last seven matches and losing four - proved the work Emery still has ahead of him to turn his current team into a regular Champions League outfit again. Arsenal’s back-line is in huge need of recruitment an Emery is expected to concentrate whatever funds he has available which could be as little as £40million per Ornstein on improving his defensive options. But the ever-reliable Ornstein suggests in an ideal world there are five positions that the Arsenal boss would like to strengthen. As it stands, given Emery will once again have to manage his spending this summer, the 47-year-old will focus on two key areas to bolster ahead of 2019-20.

Ornstein was on BBC 5 Live yesterday evening discussing transfers of various top 6 clubs but in this article, we only draw our focus on Arsenal. It feels like there’s a lot to do this summer for the Gunners, but based on what he said it might be a bit less busy than most fans think.

Here’s a full and exact transcript of what he had to say about Arsenal's transfer plans this summer:

“I don’t think it will be the most spectacular summer for Arsenal but I do think they have some very important business to be done. “It all depends on their budget. If they’re playing Europa League football next season it looks like it will be around £40m. If it’s Champions League it would be significantly higher. They also have revenue streams coming on board with the new Adidas kit deal.

“If it’s Europa League you’ve got to remember it’ll be their third year in that competition. They’ve also heavily invested in the last year or so, especuially in the striking department, and they are adamant they will not break Financial Fair Play.

“Despite still waiting to appoint a Technical Director/Sporting Director/Director of Football, they still have identified targets and conversations are underway. They are looking for experience and youth in their recruitment. “Their priorities are a central defender, Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph mentioned the Getafe and Togo centre-half, Djené, he’s under contract until 2023 with a reported value of £13.5m.

“The other priority is a box to box midfielder. Previously, in January, they came close to a deal for Christopher Nkunku from PSG – this is course is to replace Aaron Ramsey. Adrian Rabiot is a player they’ve tried to sign in the past, and they have a long-standing interest in him, however he is a complex individual and has had some issues off the pitch.

“As a sort of secondary brief they’d be looking for a wide forward and in January came close to a deal for Ivan Perisic, and had interest in Yannick Carrasco. Possibly a centre-forward with Danny Welbeck leaving, and Eddie Nketiah would go on loan if they did bring a centre-forward in. “There is interest in bringing in a left back and possibly a right back, but again those are secondary to the centre-half and box to box midfielder.

“Not to forget they’d be looking to integrate young players too. Reiss Nelson coming back from his loan, Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and Bukayo Saka who is said to be the most highly rated prospect – he’s a wide forward, but extremely young.”

So, there you go. Without Champions League football next season we’ll be shopping in the bargain basements, but of course we could raise funds through sales and free up more money by reducing the wage bill by a significant amount.

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