France and Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny has today said that he believes Arsene Wenger can guide The Gunners to more success, provided he strengthens the squad with at least four new additions this summer, including a prolific striker. at France's pre-World Cup training camp the defender said:
We'll need a goalkeeper, a right back, a midfielder and a striker. It's important to have a minimum of these four players so that we'll be better able to challenge over the course of a whole season against teams like Manchester City, Chelsea or (Manchester) United. Winning the FA Cup can change things and lead to other players coming.
Koscielny suggested brining in someone to provide his compatriot Olivier Giroud with some competition, as the striker starter 36 of Arsenal's 38 Premier League games last season.
Yes, we need to recruit a very, very good striker, because it's important for us, for competition for places, because Olivier needs that to become even better. Having a striker who scores more than 30 goals a season can help us win the Premier League. Compared to the squads like Manchester City, even United, Chelsea. ... You can see there's a certain difference.
So who will Arsenal look to bring in? Well it seems as though Wenger doesn't share Koscielny's want for a midfield player, as if reports are to be believed Arsenal chose not to activate their buy-back clause for former captain Cesc Fabregas, who seems destined to return to the Premier League this summer. In terms of goalkeepers, Arsenal have been linked with Cardiff's David Marshall and Brighton's Christian Walton, although nothing is concrete, and Cardiff are surely reluctant to part ways with their top performer from their short stint in the Premier League. The loss of Bacary Sagna on a free transfer will sting Arsenal fans, who will no doubt see their club linked with every right-back who has a good game in the World Cup, and while Carl Jenkinson has declared himself ready to "step up", there are not many who share that sentiment. Links to Karim Benzema and Mario Balotelli seem half hearted, yet Loic Remy seems to be a genuine target, but interest from Spurs could provide a few problems. It will be an interesting summer for Arsenal fans and players alike as they wait to see which reinforcements can be brought in to ensure next season's league campaign doesn't end in a similar fashion to their last.
