Six signings, Mbappe impact – Mikel Arteta’s dream Arsenal XI as three-year plan given

However, after winning the FA Cup in his year in charge, Arteta and Arsenal have failed to achieve success on-the-pitch. They have finished second in the last two Premier League seasons but are many people’s favourites to be crowned champions of England this term.

The news of Arteta’s new contract means the former-Gunners midfielder will be tasked with attempting to finally nudge Manchester City off top spot. If it doesn’t happen this season, it will continue to be the aim.

Arteta’s new deal means he will be the club’s head coach until 2027, at least. Fans will be confident that they will have enjoyed success in some form before then, to do that, Arsenal’s team could look significantly different.

Here, football.london has attempted to predict what a dream starting 11 could look like at the Emirates Stadium when the 2027/28 kicks-off, hopefully with Arteta at the helm still.

Starting in goal, it wouldn’t be harsh to predict that a new goalkeeper would stand in between the sticks in 2027. First-choice David Raya is currently 28 but he will be close to 32 in 2027. Currently, Manchester City’s Ederson and Liverpool’s Alisson are 31, at the top of their game.

There’s no reason why Raya can’t replicate the Brazilian duo but, in a dream scenario, signing a young goalkeeper who is more primed to play with his feet would be a better fit. Step forward, Diogo Costa. The Porto star has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time and is highly-rated in European football..

Into defence, it would be fair to suggest Arsenal are in a good place after deals to sign Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiorio. However, long-term interest in Jeremie Frimpong would add a different dynamic to Arteta’s defence while a new centre-back would also bolster them.

Gabriel Magalhaes is only 26 and is at the peak of his career. The Brazilian has a big chance of competing at the top of world football in three years’ time but 23-year-old Goncalo Inacio is a tempting choice after impressing with Sporting CP.

Like the defence, Arsenal’s midfield is stocked with quality players. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are two players that we can expect to see in midfield for many years to come but, just as there is now, Arteta needs to recruit the perfect third midfielder.

Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni is the perfect fit. His tall build and ball-winning ability would be the ideal profile to unlock Rice to venture further forward. He’s been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past but a move has never materialised. In three years, it could make more sense.

Another Madrid star that would make-up this dream XI is Rodrygo. The Brazilian is probably the most rogue shout on this list but Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu has placed doubt over his future at the club.

Liverpool have constantly been touted as a potential destination for him to replace Mohamed Salah. But Arsenal are now competing with Europe’s big boys and Rodrygo would make Arteta’s forward line one of the most threatening.

Finally, to complete the XI is Alexander Isak. The Sweden international was linked with Arsenal when he was at Real Sociedad and their interest has progressed since his move to England.

Depending on where Newcastle go in the next couple of years, Isak could become available. There was talk of him moving to the Emirates Stadium last summer but a move never materialised. In the future, he could be Arsenal’s man.

Arsenal XI: Diogo Costa; Frimpong; Saliba, Inacio, Calafiori; Rice, Tchouameni, Odegaard; Saka, Rodrygo, Isak.