How Arsenal could line-up next season with Nicolas Pepe and Dani Ceballos

Arsenal have stepped things up a notch with two signings this week – and they are now believed to be closing in on a third.

They have secured a deal to bring in Real Madrid playmaker Dani Ceballos on a season-long loan, whilst William Saliba has arrived permanently from Saint-Etienne but headed back to France for the season.

With a fee agreed for Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, their second first team addition ahead of the new campaign could be done as soon as early next week.

The Gunners are looking to get back into the Premier League top four to secure a return to Champions League football after a promising first season under Emery tailed off last season.

Here’s how they could line-up next season with their new additions.

Arsenal could line-up with an exciting attacking side with their new additions

Bernd Leno

Keeper impressed in his first campaign with the Gunners and has the No.1 spot nailed down after the retirement of Petr Cech.

Hector Bellerin

Still recovering from a knee injury and will miss the start of the season, but once he recovers Bellerin is expected to slot straight back into the starting line-up on the right side of defence.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos

With Shkodran Mustafi struggling and Laurent Koscielny involved in a contract dispute, Sokratis is arguably the most reliable centre-back in Arsenal’s current squad.

He’s set to start and be a crucial figure unless they make any more additions.

Calum Chambers

Chambers impressed on loan at Fulham last season and now returns to the Gunners.

He’s impressed in pre-season and could be given a chance to prove his worth at the start of the season, particularly with Rob Holding still recovering from injury.

Sead Kolasinac

Kolasinac made headlines last week for defending Mesut Ozil from knife-wielding thugs, but he’ll be expected to defend Arsenal’s left flank next season.

The 26-year-old was a regular in the side last season and that looks unlikely to change barring any injury concerns.

Lucas Torreira

Torreira enjoyed an impressive first season in the Premier League, so speculation surrounding his future early in the transfer window came as a surprise.

That has since died down, and as he stays put the pint-sized Uruguayan is set to add plenty of energy to Emery’s side in the middle of the park.

Torreira and Guendouzi could have a big year ahead in Arsenal’s dynamic midfield
(Image: David Price)

Matteo Guendouzi

Whilst Granit Xhaka has more experience, Guendouzi displayed his raw potential last season and could be in line to overtake his Swiss team-mate this season.

Like Torreira, the French youngster brings an energetic approach and has proved himself effective at recycling possession and the pair could form an exciting partnership providing more freedom to Emery’s attacking quartet.

Dani Ceballos

The arrival of playmaker Dani Ceballos could prove the writing is on the wall for Mesut Ozil.

The exciting attacking midfielder arrives off the back of a stunning European Under 21 Championship campaign.

He’s set to line-up at the front of a young, exciting midfield and be given free reign to be the creative influence Ozil can be but demonstrates with a lack of regularity.

Dani Ceballos could displace Mesut Ozil and become Arsenal’s playmaker
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a crucial part of Emery’s plans – and he outlined that fact when speculation surrounding his Arsenal future was recently brought up.

Emery’s comments on the Gabonese striker gave an insight into his plans as he talked up his flexibility to take up different roles, either out wide and drifting in or receiving the ball from deep, to create attacking opportunities.

If Pepe arrives, the Gunners could play with a front three, but Aubameyang gives the flexibility to operate in numerous roles and change the way that looks by being given freedom to roam.

Nicolas Pepe

A winger has clearly been a top priority for Unai Emery – and despite Wilfried Zaha being the main target for much of the transfer window, it appears Nicolas Pepe is now their man.

After agreeing a huge, club-record fee of around £72m, there will be big expectations on the Ivory Coast winger if he completes a move to North London.

But the 22-goal Ligue 1 attack offers a pacy, direct option who should fit in nicely with an inter-changeable forward trio involving Aubameyang and Lacazette that the Gunners will hope can emulate Liverpool’s dynamic attacking three.