Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have been involved in a three-horse race for the title throughout the 2023/24 Premier League season. Ahead of the final stretch of games, the trophy could still end up in the hands of any of the three sides, but an important summer awaits the trio regardless.
City, Liverpool and Arsenal all have at least one specific profile of a player that they lack within their squads. While one of them will get over the line this May, they will all need to address their biggest weaknesses in the summer if they are to pursue success again next season.
Here we have identified the number one position each club needs to address with their recruitment this summer and with what profile they should look to sign.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has a remarkable squad at his disposal with many possessing the experience of past title successes. For that reason, they are the current title favourites in football bets offered at 2/5 to win their fourth in a row. Football tips back City to win all of their remaining games to secure the trophy.
Despite the likelihood of securing history-defining success in the league this year, Guardiola’s relentless drive to win will ensure the team is improved further this summer, and there is one position that is in most need.
The central midfield position that Ilkay Gundogan occupied before joining FC Barcelona has not been sufficiently reinforced with a suitable profile. Mateo Kovacic has not offered a regular impact in the final third, and fellow 2023 signing Matheus Nunes has been used in the wide areas rather than centrally.
???????????? The release clause into Lucas Paquetá contract at West Ham is valid already for July 1 and it’s worth £85m.
Man City consider Paquetá one of the ideal targets since last summer; but no decision has been made.
Paquetá, keen on potential move since initial talks last year. pic.twitter.com/Fk8Tkr5S7h
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 12, 2024
City therefore needs a ‘number eight’ that will offer defensive cover alongside Rodri Hernandez, press resistance and proven quality in the final third. The perfect player to offer all of that is Lucas Paqueta, and considering the club pursued him at the back end of last summer he could realistically come in this year.
The Brazilian recorded 10 goal contributions in his opening 26 Premier League appearances of the season. Supported by greater quality in attack, he could find his impact elevated massively under Guardiola.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s biggest need has arguably been obvious this season – they lack a natural number six. While the team has an abundance of quality, they have lacked control of games as they do not have a commanding presence at the base of the midfield.
With a new manager set to replace the departing legend Jurgen Klopp, there could be a significant overhaul, but this is the area that is most crucial to future competitiveness.
Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Atalanta’s Toun Koopmeiners stand out as the most well-rounded options – they both offer height, physicality and exceptional positional discipline.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s biggest need like Liverpool’s is evident simply from their general play. Mikel Arteta has created a system which limits the opposition’s offensive threat and gives his team stunning control in possession.
However, the biggest downfall has been the team’s lack of a clinical presence in the opposition box. For all of Arsenal’s regular dominance, at times they have failed to see off games despite creating a wealth of chances.
????️ Mikel Arteta: “If one result is going to block us, then we are not strong enough. If you want to win titles, when you have this moment you have to stand up.
In any other league in the world, if you won the number of games in a row that we did, you would be 6 or 8 points… pic.twitter.com/sINeDEUaaI
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 15, 2024
Arteta needs a prolific number nine that will produce goals in the highest-pressure situations. The perfect profile would be a player who focuses on breaking the opposition’s defensive line rather than being involved in the build-up.
There are many pacey striker profiles around that have a strong goalscoring CV to their names. Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen are some of the players that could fit the bill from around Europe – acquiring this profile will likely require Arsenal to pay a big fee.
These three teams are immensely talented in their current form and transfer window evolutions could see them improve and mount another incredible three-way battle for the league next season. The biggest areas of need must be addressed to maintain the unprecedented level of competitiveness they share in the Premier League.
