Predicted Arsenal XI for next season – Including Balotelli and Aurier

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Here’s how Arsenal could shape up next season with two reported transfer targets included.

Arsene Wenger has made his first signing of the summer, a new fitness coach, but the pressure is still on the Frenchman to improve his playing squad.

The Gunners have been linked with re-signing Carlos Vela from Real Sociedad and Wenger will be determined to react with further decent signings after the club amazingly turned down the chance to re-sign Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.

Here’s the Arsenal side that could start next season, updated based on the latest transfer rumours and potential deals.

GK – Wojciech Szczesny

The Pole will be Arsenal’s number one heading into the new season. Wenger could make a summer addition in this area but whoever comes in will start behind the current ‘keeper.

RB – Serge Aurier

It would be a major surprise if Arsenal don’t complete a move for the Toulouse right-back with Bacary Sagna having left the club.

CB – Per Mertesacker

Barring injury for Mertesacker at the World Cup with Germany, he will be the key figure in the Arsenal back four.

CB – Laurent Koscielny

The Frenchman compliments Mertesacker well and dealt with a rough spell of form in the middle of last season well.

LB – Kieran Gibbs

Gibbs has pace to burn, which Wenger should utilise down the left hand side. He’s a much better left-back than the one who started last season.

RM – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The Ox will provide that pace on the right. He’s effective and difficult for sides to cope with whether he stays out wide or presses through the middle.

DM – Mikel Arteta

Arteta is another key senior member of the side. He controls the game well although there have been questions over his pace in front of the back four.

CM – Aaron Ramsey

It would be a crime if Ramsey didn’t start next season right in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.

AM – Mesut Ozil

Ozil will be better off for a season in English football. He’ll also be better off if he can maintain and improve his confidence with Germany at the World Cup.

LM – Lukas Podolski

Podolski has been a real star in Germany’s preparations for the World Cup. He’s another player effective in both wide and central positions.

ST – Mario Balotelli

With the Italian settled down and engaged, Wenger may be more willing to take a risk on signing him. He has the pace and the skill to feed off of Arsenal’s midfield.