For me, as I look ahead to a post-Sanchez, and potentially post-Özil, Arsenal, I see:
A goalkeeper that has been one of the best 6 in the country this season, but is getting old and, at the very least, needs strong competition next season. A young, talented keeper coming in would push Cech to be at the best level he has in him and if the new kid is class, Cech would make a perfect back-up for at least another couple of years.
A right back that has had a dodgy year but is clearly capable of much better. I'm content with Hector starting for us for the foreseeable. I think he's going to be one of the best right backs around in the coming years, he'll come good again.
A left back in Kolasinac that looks one of the best I've seen at Arsenal for a very long time. Maitland-Niles might have kept him out recently but I think that's a combination of the kid being brilliant and Wenger wanting to give the German the winter break his body is accustomed to.
A big worry at centre back - I don't rate a single one of them to start for us next season for one reason or another. Chambers should be sold, Mustafi too, I don't think they're good enough defenders and the we could bring in some very good money for them both. Mertesacker is gone, Koscielny is the perfect old head to keep around and wheel out for a defensive masterclass once in a while. Monreal, in my opinion, should be allowed to go back to Spain - Athletic Bilbao have tried for 3 summers now, it's time. Holding should go on loan - he has talent but he needs to do some learning and it shouldn't be here. Bielik and this new Greek kid are the unknown quantities for next season, and I can say for the Pole at least that he really has some serious talent. That said, we're going to need to make some serious investment. We could do with a world class, ready-made centre back but they're not really there to be had by anyone, so it's going to be about finding the best talent we can get our hands on that's ready to cope from the off.
With Wilshere coming back to fitness and form (Lord let his ankle be okay after tonight!) and the emergence of Maitland-Niles, I like our options moving forward. Ramsey is still around and if we can get him to sign a new contract he'd be another great option in there, if he doesn't sign then he absolutely has to be sold this summer. Elneny being around is a complete waste of everybody's time and he has to go asap. Coquelin going has cleared the path for the aforementioned Maitland-Niles to become our defensively minded central midfielder. We have Willock coming through as well. With Jack's dodgy fitness record, I still think we should spend some money here and if Ramsey is to be sold then it's a complete necessity.
In attacking midfield a lot will depend on whether we can convince Özil to stay or not. If he goes then our money has to stretch to replacing the definitely departing Sanchez and our wondrous German too. Which isn't going to be easy and will affect what we can do in other positions. Walcott and Welbeck have reached the end of the road - I'm hopeful Theo will move this month. Neither are good enough. Iwobi should be on loan next season - a bit like Holding, he has talent but has tons to learn and should not be doing it here. I know many will disagree but I'm all for Nelson playing lots from right now on. No, he's not ready but he has all the ability in the world and I think he's going to learn and improve quickly. He'd start right wing for me next season.
Up front Lacazette is who we've hung our hat on and I think he'll come good. I like his general play alot, especially when we pen teams in, and we know he's a goalscorer. I just wish he was a bit quicker and stronger but if he can get us 20+ league goals next season then it's all good. I think we have to make sure the guy we replace Sanchez with has serious speed and goal threat, Someone that'll move beyond the ball and help balance the attack, alongside Lacazette, and hopefully, Özil.
Going from a best XI from this season of:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cech
- - - - - Koscielny - - Mustafi - - Monreal
Bellerin - - - Ramsey - - - Xhaka - - - Kolasinac
- - - - - - - Özil - - Lacazette - - Sanchez
To a best XI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cech
Bellerin - - New Guy - - New Guy - - Kolasinac
Nelson - - - - AMN - - - - Wilshere - - - New Guy
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Özil
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lacazette
Jonny Evans might be a decent stop gap, not what I want at all, but I'd personally rate him as a better centreback than anyone we have right now. I also really like what I've seen of Matthijs de Ligt at Ajax. Looks the sort of talent we should be spending our money on.
I'd love it if we could go for players like Fabinho or Milinkovic-Savic, but that's too much even for a wish list. Wilshere is a superstar midfielder when he's fit though so let's keep everything crossed for him.
Left wing new guy... no one is going to get near Sanchez's numbers, but if they can stretch defences and have good delivery they could help Lacazette make up the difference.
That team's not going win the Premier League next season but has some serious young talent in it.
