With a record of 21 wins 10 draws and seven defeats, 5th in the Premier League, Arsenal FC and manager Unai Emery are looking to fill some holes ahead of the 2019-2020 season.
The team is quickly reaching a crossroads for several key players currently on the roster. That’s putting a lot of pressure on team officials to make calculated moves that will enhance the squad in the immediate future while strengthening future prospects in the coming years.
Ahead of next season, both fans and gamblers will be looking closely at the changes that might take place. Arsenal is coming off a decent season but not exactly what the team was looking for when the season started.
Emery is expecting to get the team back to the top of the league, but he realises he needs to invest in his defence and add a bit more depth on the offensive front. For you Arsenal sports bettors, now is the time to sign up at William Hill for the best odds but don’t forget your William Hill promo code to maximise your bankroll ahead of the new Premier League season.
One of the most interesting options on Emery’s list is Paris Saint-Germain’s Thomas Meunier. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have stepped forward to express an interest in him, which matches with PSG’s desire to complete a sale. The asking price of €30 million for a player who is entering the final 12 months of his contract hasn’t moved either team off the mark as of yet. Last season, Meunier had difficulty accepting his role on the bench and is looking for an opportunity to help another club.
With both United and Arsenal set to compete in the Europa League next season, it’s interesting that both teams are targeting the same solution. Around the league, the feeling is the asking price would favour a move by United. With that said, Meunier is better suited to what Arsenal needs.
In an interview, the 27-year-old Meunier told Le Parisien (via ESPN) that “no fewer than 10 clubs, all in the top five of their leagues” have expressed interest in him joining their clubs.
As for PSG, “PSG have not told me: ‘we absolutely want to sell you. They know that they will need me at some point.”
He went on to add: “If the club tells me: ‘listen, we want to sell you, we need the money, financial fair play is an issue,’ that I will not play next year as well, then, of course, we will find a solution that suits everybody.”
Before things proceed too far, PSG is awaiting a decision on the part of Dani Alves. The team has offered him a one-year contract extension with the option of a possible second.
If he decides to sign, the club would be able to move forward with a Meunier sale. Should he decide not to sign, the club might be forced to hold onto Meunier for the final year of his contract instead of putting its faith in youth academy graduates who might not be ready for the move up.