Arsenal Transfer Dossier: Wenger Must Repeat Ozil-Like Addition

After winning the FA Cup, comfortably qualifying for the Champions League and contesting until March for the Premier League title, Arsenal supporters will be pleading with manager Arsene Wenger to loosen the shackles in the transfer market.

The record signing of Mesut Ozil brought a complete change of emphasis to north London and with the club's trophy drought off their backs, the Gunners must invest to keep pace with their rivals. More frugality could be a step back.

Business so far

FA Cup final hero Lukasz Fabianski has joined Swansea City after failing to agree a new contract at the Emirates, while Bacary Sagna is likely to leave for Manchester City. Much-maligned strikers Nicklas Bendtner and Park Chu-Young are the other highest profile players to leave the club after inauspicious spells. The biggest news within the walls of Arsenal came last week, as Arsene Wenger finally penned a new deal at the club, taking his tenure into a 20<sup>th year.

What they need

After Olivier Giroud was overworked last season and Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott failed to provide effective backup – largely due to injury – it's one of the worst kept secrets in football that Arsenal require a new striker. Elsewhere, should Sagna complete his move to City, the club will desperately need a new full-back - despite Carl Jenkinson's emerging talent. Fabianski's departure requires some backup in goal also.

Who could join

Arsenal have been heavily linked with activating Carlos Vela's £4m release clause at Real Sociedad in order to calm their striker woes. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema continues to be linked, but France World Cup team-mate Loic Remy appears a more likely option after being pictured in the Emirates Stadium crowd during the last campaign. In defence, Serge Aurier is the most likely candidate to replace Sagna, while Norwich stopper John Ruddy has been linked with a switch to north London.

Who could leave

Podolski continues to deny he could leave Arsenal after an injury-filled campaign. Thomas Vermaelen is yet to agree a new deal but also seems set to remain at the club, despite being a peripheral figure last season. Sagna is the only remaining first team player at Arsenal who is likely to make an exit, with title winners City the outstanding favourites for his signature.

What the manager has said

"We know we have to... have a successful June and July, that's where you strengthen the team. It's very important that we are good now in the next two months until the end of August, that we can give to the team some more quality."