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Arsenal’s managerial uncertainty hasn’t stopped them making moves in the transfer market, with the latest reports suggesting that the Gunners are closing in on the signing of a new left-back.

Left-back is certainly one of many areas where Arsenal will be looking to improve over the summer and Schalke full-back Sead Kolasinac could be set to join the club for free, with Goal reporting that the Gunners are confident of landing the Bosnian defender.

The 23-year-old is primarily a left-back, but can also fill in as a central defender or in defensive midfield, so his versatility will certainly be attractive. Juventus are one of a number of top clubs that have been linked with a move for Kolasinac, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Arsenal and other foreign clubs will have been allowed to negotiate a pre-contract with the player since January due to the Bosman rule.

Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal have struggled to consistently convince in the left-back role, and it has been a long time since either put in a memorable attacking or defensive performance. Gibbs is one of a number of squad players that could be set to leave the club in the summer. He has been at the club for some time now but with just one year remaining on his contract and the player not able to hold down a

Gibbs is one of a number of squad players that could be set to leave Arsenal in the summer. He has been at the club for some time now but with just one year remaining on his contract and the player not able to hold down a first-team spot, he could be allowed to leave should a suitable offer arrive.

How good is he?

The calibre of club showing an interest in Kolasinac show that he is a very talented player. Is he what Arsenal need?

Despite being just 23, Kolasinac has been an ever-present in the Schalke XI for some time, making over 100 senior appearances for the club. Kolasinac is considered to be a very good player at both ends of the pitch. Defensively he is solid and known for his good tackling. He stands at over 6ft and is good in aerial duels, a rare trait for a full back and something Arsenal

Kolasinac is considered to be a very good player at both ends of the pitch. Defensively he is solid and known for his good tackling. He stands at over 6ft and is good in aerial duels, a rare trait for a full back and something Arsenal need. He has averaged 2.9 tackles, 2.1 clearances and 3.6 interceptions per 90 minutes this season - a very impressive set of defensive statistics.

In an attacking sense he’s scored 3 goals and assisted 5 in 21 Bundesliga appearances this season, a phenomenal return for a full-back.

He’s nowhere near the speed of Hector Bellerin, but he is deceptively quick for a man of his size and strength - from what I’ve seen he is quicker than Arsenal’s current first choice left back, Monreal.

Of course as a free signing there is little risk involved here and the Gunners could even sign another left back on top of Kolasinac if they wanted to replace both Monreal and Gibbs. The Gunners need to invest a lot of money in their team this summer and the chance to make a first team improvement for free would be brilliant.

Liverpool have been linked with a huge swoop for Arsenal ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer but he may not be the only Premier League player the Reds sign. Here, we’ve identified three top-flight players who could join the England international at Anfield.

Virgil Van Dijk

The Southampton defender has earned a stellar reputation for the Saints this season and is tipped with a high-profile move in the summer, with a wealth of top-tier clubs looking to land his services; including Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

The Reds, of course, have a strong history of transfer dealings with the Saints in recent years and could bring the Dutchman in to partner another former Southampton man, Dejan Lovren. Whilst he’d be an expensive recruit, he’s certainly affordable.

Arsenal are set for a major overhaul this summer and reports from The Daily Mirror have stated the North London side will embark on a huge £200m spending spree. Here, we’ve outlined the five players Arsenal are looking to sign.

Alexandre Lacazette

Considered to be the missing link in Arsenal’s attack, the Gunners are desperate to bring Alexandre Lacazette to North London from Lyon this summer but the French club are notoriously difficult to negotiate with- which could see Arsenal having to break their £42m transfer record.

That fee, paid in 2013 for Mesut Ozil, is significantly less than the record amounts that the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City have paid so moving ahead in a deal like this would be a real statement of intent.

With Lacazette boasting 96 Ligue 1 goals in 200 appearances, there’s no doubt he would be worth the money.

Manchester United’s quest to win the Europa League continues in Belgium tomorrow as the Red Devils tackle Anderlecht. Here, we’ve identified the starting XI that Jose Mourinho should select.

GK: David De Gea

Manchester United’s number one has been first-choice on the team-sheet throughout the season and will remain in that position for the foreseeable future- although Real Madrid are looking to change the situation with a swoop this summer.

Whilst he can be criticised for being over dramatic at times, De Gea is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and should be able to put in a commanding performance against Anderlecht tomorrow evening- where a clean-sheet would help the Red Devils tremendously in their aim to reach the semi-finals.

The World Cup is just over a year away and numerous players will be thinking about their futures as they look to give themselves the best possible chance of representing their national sides.

It’s no different at Arsenal and these five players should definitely seek a summer transfer to put themselves back in a running for their nation’s squads for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Jack Wilshere

The midfield ace has spent this season on-loan with Bournemouth and has made it clear he will not extend his deal with Arsenal unless he gets first-team assurances. As he rapidly approaches the final 12 months of his deal, it seems increasingly likely Wilshere will leave.

Having fallen out of favour in the England set-up, Wilshere needs regular football and Arsenal can’t offer that- as they already have the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla.

If Wilshere doesn’t move this summer, and doesn’t get first-team football at Arsenal, the chances of him making England’s World Cup squad are very slim.

Manchester United have thrown all their eggs in one basket with their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann but it seems Atletico Madrid are trying to pen him to a new deal. As such, the Red Devils need to start considering alternatives and these four would be ideal.

Robert Lewandowski

The Polish centre-forward has established himself as one of the finest striker’s in world football over recent years and he could elect to seek a new challenge this summer away from German football, having starred for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

At 28, Lewandowski is in the prime years of his career and a switch to Manchester United would see the Red Devils’ front line improve significantly. If Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to leave this summer, then Lewandowski would be the perfect replacement.

Money is no object to Manchester United so they should be able to convince Bayern Munich to part ways, with it being well-known that Bundesliga sides cannot match their English counterparts in the transfer market.

Arsenal have struggled to remain competitive over the past decade but a major overhaul is expected to take place this summer. With a host of reported signings on the cards, these four new additions will turn the Gunners into Premier League contenders.

GK: Ederson

The eyes of Europe’s elite have been turned towards Benfica ace Ederson this summer and Arsenal are one of many clubs eyeing his services, as they see the 23-year-old Brazilian as the perfect long-term replacement for ageing veteran Petr Cech.

Cech has struggled to remain consistent this season but is likely to stay on. David Ospina, meanwhile, wants more regular first-team football and an exit is one the cards. For next season, playing Ederson in the Premier League and reverting Cech to the cup campaigns could be ideal.

Chelsea are having a brilliant season on the pitch, but off the pitch it looks like they may have some issues to deal with come the summer. Here are three players that could reportedly be leaving the club in the summer…

1 - Diego Costa

Costa started the season in brilliant form but since the rumours of a move away started in January, he has struggled to score consistently. There have been rumours he is not happy in London and these appear to have been confirmed in his latest quotes.

Costa revealed after his team beat Bournemouth at the weekend: “I am happy at Chelsea, I am not necessarily saying that I am happy with my life in London. But that is something totally different.”

Costa is a player who plays with emotion and when his head is not in a good place, his performance certainly suffers. At his best and his most focussed, in my opinion, he is one of the best number 9’s in the world. It will be very hard to replace him, but the likes of Lukaku have been linked.

Romelu Lukaku looks increasingly likely to leave Everton this summer and the Toffees face a major challenge to replace him. Fortunately, they have money to spend and these three targets would be quality replacements.

Willian Jose

Linked with a £27m move to Goodison Park this summer, Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose has seemingly found himself top of Ronald Koeman’s wish-list in Everton’s quest to find a replacement for Lukaku and the Brazilian could be a good fit.

Since signing for the Basque outfit last summer, Willian Jose has hit 11 La Liga goals in just 19 appearances- his best ever return. Having struggled to establish himself in numerous loan moves previously though, his consistency can be called into question.

For that price, Everton would seek a player who has shown for numerous years that he can be relied upon and that could lead to concerns regarding Willian Jose’s services.

The latest Premier League odds for relegation continue to fluctuate. Yet, where Swansea City AFC is concerned, the outlook remains bleaker than a cold front in November across the Gower peninsula.

Unlike the condemned duo beneath them (Sunderland and Middlesbrough), the Swans do remain in realistic contention for survival after a traumatic season. However, a 3-1 home defeat to Tottenham on April 5, provided further illustration of the guile and assertiveness that the Swansea XI sorely lacks on home turf.

Another Swansea defeat at the weekend, 1-0 at the London Stadium, represented a paltry return of one point from the last twelve for Paul Clement’s men. That is prime relegation form by any measure, but more especially so at this stage of the season.

Without the endeavour and diligence of set-piece expert Gylfi Sigurdsson, Paul Clement’s ailing Swansea side would already be consigned to certain relegation. Regardless of Swansea’s Premier League status (or lack thereof) in 2017/18, the Icelandic midfielder will be a wanted man by clubs across the continent this summer.

Blue is the Colour, is Chelsea the Name?

Relegation for Swansea would merely serve to make the probable inevitable. For Sigurdsson, a move to Stamford Bridge would represent just reward for seasons of hard graft with a Swansea squad that, it could be argued, no longer deserves his services.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is now mere weeks away from winning the Premier League title on his first attempt. As a front three, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Pedro have proven to be unplayable at times this season, with Hazard particularly emerging as Chelsea’s most dangerous all-rounder after a poor season in 2015/16.

With Chelsea’s attacking potency taken into account, it is difficult to see how exactly Sigurdsson would fit into Conte’s setup on a regular basis. There will, however, be the additional distraction of Champions League football for Conte and his battling blues next season, which at least makes Sigurdsson’s entry into the starting XI via squad rotation a possibility.

Additionally, Sigurdsson’s ability from set pieces could be an asset when it comes to stealing away goals, at Europe’s most famous fortresses, in the knockout phase.

‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’ for Sigurdsson?

Curiously, most bookmakers believe that Goodison Park is by far the likeliest destination for Sigurdsson, with such a move priced at around 4/1.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku appears all but bound for a summer departure, and on current form, his value should easily hit the £60 million mark. This return on investment, combined with the wealth of Iranian billionaire shareholder Farhad Moshiri, represents a summer of unprecedented opportunity for the blue half of Merseyside.

In the event of his arrival at Goodison Park, Sigurdsson will likely contest the so-called “Number Ten” role with boyhood blue Ross Barkley.

Amongst Everton fans, opinions of Barkley remain mixed. However, Barkley’s omission in favour of a new face could well destroy what is currently a good dressing room spirit, but there is also room for great improvement at set pieces. While the aging Leighton Baines is a certified maestro from the penalty spot, it is also worth noting that Everton have been deprived of a true set piece specialist since the departure of Mikel Arteta in 2011.

The only feasible way in which Sigurdsson could play alongside Barkley would be at the centre of a ‘false nine’, in front of a solid defensive midfield trio of Davies, Schneiderlin and Gana. Ronald Koeman would, however, consider many other alternatives before even dreaming of resorting to a ‘false nine’.

Ultimately, developments around this particular move are worth watching. However, the move itself is not necessarily one to back as of yet.

A fine claret?

With a Chelsea move considered unlikely by bookmakers, Sigurdsson may find solace at another London club. Following in the footsteps of former Swansea teammate Andre Ayew, Sigurdsson would find himself a highly-valued part of an intriguing project at the London Stadium.

In Robert Snodgrass, Slaven Bilic already has a set piece expert at his disposal. Undeniably, the combination of Snodgrass and Sigurdsson in the same starting XI would see West Ham reach peak capability in the centre of the park. Yet, without adequate strengthening in the wide areas, West Ham will continue to experience barren runs of form next season.

In the wing play department, Michael Antonio arguably remains West Ham’s MVP, but like Sigurdsson, he is not without his suitors. Should Antonio depart, Sigurdsson’s task of stabilising West Ham’s playing style could be greatly complicated by the presence of an unknown quantity in the wide area.

Though second-favourites to sign Sigurdsson, at around 7/1, West Ham can offer him a relatively easy transition from Swansea. Whether Bilic can take the initiative is quite another matter.

There’s no doubt that West Ham need reinforcements in the summer, no matter who their manager may be. One area that certainly needs strengthening is attack. Several players have been linked in recent weeks. We take a look at three of the latest, and how realistic a move for them could be.

1 - Alvaro Morata

West Ham have approached Real Madrid and made an enquiry as to the availability of striker Alvaro Morata according to Don Balon. He was brought back to Madrid from Juventus but despite good goalscoring form, he has not been given the game time that he wants and perhaps deserves. With interest in Monaco’s Mbappe, Madrid could well be open to selling Morata this summer - but would West Ham have a realistic chance of signing him, or would it be a waste of time? Reports suggest he would cost in excess of £50million and demands in excess of £100,000 per week. Add that to the fact that clubs with European football are interested and it looks extremely unlikely that West Ham would be able to tempt Morata to the club. Especially with the way this season is finishing.

Manchester United face a battle to keep star-man Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford for another year after reports suggested he’s set to move to LA Galaxy. The Red Devils ace could end-up being joined in the MLS by some of his current team-mates, as we’ve identified three players who could follow him stateside.

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer has struggled to find his place in Jose Mourinho’s set-up this season, with the veteran forward battling the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a striking role.

A loss of pace has seen Rooney revert to more of a midfield-based position over the past year but United may not have a spot for the England skipper there either. As such, an exit is widely reported this summer and Rooney could become the latest big-name to move to the MLS.

Whilst a move stateside would affect his chances of representing England at the World Cup next summer, it could hand the United captain a new lease of life and he can expect a bumper pay-day as a result.

Liverpool need a major overhaul this summer if they’re to succeed under Jurgen Klopp and the German boss can expect to axe several members of his side. Here, we’ve identified five of his team that need to go.

Alberto Moreno

The Spanish full-back has been cast out of the Liverpool squad this season, with his poor performances seeing James Milner handed a fresh chance at left-back and enjoy a new lease of life in the Reds defence.

Moreno’s position in the squad is now intangible as he remains behind Milner in the pecking order, whilst likely arrivals this summer will push him further down the list in the eyes of Jurgen Klopp- so a sale is definitely the right move.

At 24, Moreno has age on his side and he’ll look to get back on track with his career elsewhere, with a return to Spain a possibility.

Arsenal face a stern test to replace Alexis Sanchez this summer if the Chilean decides to leave the Emirates Stadium but the Gunners have options in the Premier League. Here, we’ve identified three potential targets.

Riyad Mahrez

The Algerian doesn’t quite have the same reputation as he did a year ago when he helped guide Leicester City to a shock Premier League title success but last season’s PFA Player of the Year is still a quality player and one who can provide a boost to Arsenal.

Having only recently turned 26, Mahrez has years ahead of him and is approaching the prime period of his career. If Alexis Sanchez was to be sold, investing some of that money to lure Mahrez to the Emirates Stadium would be a wise move.

However, he’d be an expensive acquisition.

Despite the money Jose Mourinho has spent in his first season at Manchester United, his team still look a long way from title challengers. A long unbeaten run in the league has papered over cracks in all honesty, with several home draws in recent weeks frustrating the fans.

Instead of battling for the title, United now find themselves in a struggle to finish in the top four. There’s a very real possibility that they will miss out on Champions League football again. The United attack is ageing and is struggling to make the difference week in week out. Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could leave the club this summer, and that would free up significant funds for United to go and invest in new attacking midfielders and forwards. We take a look at 3 top quality players United could bring in with an investment of around £200million…

1 - Robert Lewandowski

According to DonBalon, a Spanish source, Mourinho may not choose to extend the contract of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or at least, he may look to sign a new first-choice striker. According to the same report, Lewandowski of Bayern Munich tops the list. I don’t need to write about what type of player he is, or his statistics in recent years, it goes without saying that adding him to the team would be a significant improvement.

Convincing Munich to sell will not be easy. They have no obvious back up to Lewandowski, and world class strikers are hard to find on the market. A bid in excess of £60million would surely be needed to convince the German’s to part way with the deadly Polish striker.

Manchester United are eyeing big changes this summer and it’s likely that Jose Mourinho will splash the cash heavily once again, despite the astronomical figure spent last summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with a host of top-class players ahead of the upcoming transfer window but a new name has now been thrown into the mix, as Don Balon state Mourinho is eyeing a swoop for Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski.

United’s interest comes amidst growing concerns on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at Old Trafford, as the veteran striker has consistently been linked with an exit despite only arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain less than a year ago.

With prime target Antoine Griezmann regularly knocking back claims he will leave Atletico Madrid for a switch to the Premier League, Mourinho has been forced to identify alternative options and Lewandowski tops his short-list.

Would Lewandowski move?

Manchester United would have to pay an astonishing sum to land Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich but they have no problem with paying high prices, as shown last summer by their £89m capture of Paul Pogba.

However, the Red Devils would have to secure Champions League football to bring the Polish striker to the Premier League, as he’s determined to continue playing at the highest level, and the Red Devils chances of securing a top-four finish look bleak. That said, a place in Europe’s elite competition could come with success in the Europa League.

As for Bayern, the Bavarian giants are aware they cannot compete with the prices of the Premier League and a sale of Lewandowski would hand them ample funds to find the right sort of replacement, although filling the gap left by the former Borussia Dortmund man wouldn’t be easy.

Will Ibrahimovic leave?

Manchester United are keen to keep Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford, following his tremendous performances in his debut season in English football, but the Swede has had his head turned by offers elsewhere- with one of the most recent reports suggesting he’ll join LA Galaxy.

A return to Italy to join Napoli has also been highly discussed by his agent Mino Raiola and the Swedish striker could seek a fresh challenge, especially as he aspires to be the star-man in the squad and that may not be possible if the signature of a player like Griezmann was to be secured.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is not resting on his laurels this summer and is expected to go big in the transfer market to help establish the Blues as contenders for Champions League glory.

Whilst his West London side have stood as the frontrunners in the Premier League title chase throughout the season, and look set to win their second league trophy in three years, the squad at Conte’s disposal does need improving in particular areas.

Conte is determined to boost his options in attack, with Diego Costa struggling for form since the new year and facing question marks on his own future, and it seems a major deal is edging towards completion- and it could be a club-record deal.

Quoted by Metro, Italian journalist Massimo Marianello told Sky Italia that Romelu Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge is almost complete.

What was said?

‘I think many big players will join Chelsea in the summer as Conte wants the Blues to become credible contenders for the Champions League win,’

‘I can say Lukaku’s Chelsea move is almost done deal and reports in England claim Alexis Sanchez will also play for Chelsea next season. Many other players could also arrive [at Chelsea].’

Will it happen?

Romelu Lukaku made it clear he would not extend his deal at Goodison Park but he has spoken recently about his desire to make history with the Toffees. However, the Belgian is unlikely to stay if a lucrative offer comes in.

Everton, for there part, don’t want to sell but a reported price-tag of around £70m would be extremely difficult to turn down and would allow Ronald Koeman to have plenty of room to recruit in the transfer market.

Incidentally, a figure that high would also set a club-record fee for Chelsea, surpassing the £50m they paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres, and would stand as one of the highest fees in Premier League history- although still a way off the £89m Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba.

Arsene Wenger has suggested that the best players in the world are coming from France, with that in mind, if he is still the manager of Arsenal in the summer, who should he sign?

We take a look at 5 internationals that Arsenal should be in the market for…

1 - Kingsley Coman

The 20-year-old has had a fantastic start to his career and is widely regarded as one of the best young wide players in the world. He’s a fantastic talent but he is only being used sparingly by Carlo Ancelotti, leading many to believe he could be available this summer, despite Bayern having an option to buy. Coman has the right to refuse a move to Bayern, even if they activate the clause. According to Telefoot in France, Arsenal have made an enquiry. Coman would more than likely come in and play on the left wing, possibly as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez.

Manchester United’s transfer charge this summer could see them eye a move closer to home, with a sensational report being reported in South America.

As reported by Metro, Chile’s ‘El Show de Prensafutbol’ claims that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has contacted Alexis Sanchez over the phone to try and persuade the 28-year-old to move to Old Trafford this summer.

Two-time Copa America winner Alexis is facing an uncertain future in North London, as he rapidly approaches the final 12 months of his contract with no progress of an extension being made- and reports widely suggest he’ll move on this summer.

Whilst there is a wealth of interest in the Premier League, Arsenal would naturally prefer to sell their star-man to a side elsewhere in Europe- although that could be difficult if Alexis decides he wants to stay within English football.

How likely is a deal?

As mentioned, Arsenal will be determined not to sell to a direct rival and will likely block any move for Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United. On top of that though, it’s difficult to see where exactly Alexis Sanchez would fit-in at Old Trafford.

Mourinho’s side already boast the talents of Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard out wide, whilst Marcus Rashford has often been deployed on the wings this season and the Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Antoine Griezmann, who could also be deployed out-wide if United stick with their current formation.

Money is not a problem for the Red Devils though and Arsenal would likely earn a club-record sum for the sale of Alexis Sanchez, although it may not be worth it if the South American starlet was to wear the colours of United on a weekly basis.

Who else is keen?

The report also mentions interest from Manchester City, as it states Pep Guardiola has also held talks with Alexis Sanchez. On top of that, Chelsea are also heavily interested in the services of the South American- but Arsenal will still attempt to block any transfer to a Premier League rival.

Elsewhere in Europe, Serie A leaders Juventus are keen on bringing the former Udinese man back to Italian football, whilst oil-rich Paris Saint-Germain want to make the Chilean their star signing- having failed to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic last summer.

There has also been talk of a potential move to Bayern Munich, where Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are approaching the end of their careers, whilst a reunion with Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla has also been mentioned- although the former Chile boss is unlikely to remain at the Andalusian side for too long, having been linked with Barcelona.

Arsenal grabbed a much needed 3 points against West Ham on Wednesday night. The Gunners managed to rediscover their form and at the heart of a great team performance was Mesut Ozil.

Ozil has been widely criticised during the Gunners terrible recent run of form, but he proved the difference against West Ham on Wednesday night, in a game where Arsenal needed the three points.

Often criticised for his work rate, Ozil was always on the move for Arsenal, coming deep to control the game when required and tracking men defensively to ensure that West Ham could not build any attacking momentum.

Ozil broke the deadlock, curling in an effort from distance and ten minutes later he managed a perfect pass to assist Theo Walcott who put the game out of sight. In these tight home games where away teams set up to get a point, Ozil needs to shine like he did tonight and make the difference. Hopefully, this performance will have boosted his confidence and he can continue to deliver performances of this calibre for the rest of the season.

Ozil was at his creative best, managing 5 key passes and an assist. He completed 3 dribbles and 2/3 crosses. Ozil was involved heavily throughout the game, completing a massive 93 passes with a 86% success rate. We saw Ozil do some dirty defensive work today too, he looked energised and made 2 interceptions and 1 tackle.

Here’s some reaction from the fans to Ozil’s performance against the Hammers…

No player has assisted more goals (39) or created more chances (360) than Mesut Özil since he arrived in the Premier League. Standard. pic.twitter.com/x4LXnOXX9D

— Özil Stuff (@OzilStuff) April 5, 2017

OZIL 10/10

— w (@WengerGOAT) April 5, 2017

https://twitter.com/JMonk21/status/849741743025205251

In my opinion, Ozil has been harshly criticised in recent weeks. He’s not been good enough, but he’s been the one player to often get the criticism when in reality the entire team have been poor.

Despite this, he has not been good enough personally and as a world class player, he really needed a game like this to stamp his authority on the team. Hopefully this will silence the critics, but Ozil needs to deliver this kind of performance more frequently, and also against the big teams, otherwise he will continue to be scapegoated.

Arsenal got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Wednesday night, and there were several brilliant individual performances that will have pleased the Arsenal fans. One summer signing was particularly impressive…

Xhaka signed for Arsenal for £30million in the summer and he has divided opinion ever since. The Swiss international has endured a difficult season, often played out of position and his discipline or lack of it, has really damaged his reputation.

In this game though, the Swiss international was majestic in defensive midfield. With Mohammed Elneny alongside him, the former FC Basel pair controlled the game against West Ham.

Although he plays deep in midfield, he is a very creative player with a great eye for a long pass and he’s neat and tidy in his short passing. With Santi Cazorla out, Arsenal needed a midfielder to step up responsibility and become the controller in midfield, conducting the game.

Xhaka was never hiding from the ball and often positioned himself in useful areas of the pitch to be the outlet for his defenders when they were under pressure. He was the base of all of Arsenal’s attacking movements and disciplined in his defensive actions.

Here’s some statistics from his performance: In perhaps his best game in an Arsenal shirt to date, Xhaka completed a massive 120 passes with an 89.2% success rate. He attempted 13 long balls and was accurate with 9 of them. Defensively he was solid, making 4 tackles and 1 interception. Offensively he was influential, making 3 key passes, despite playing in the deepest midfield position.

Here’s some tweets showing how fans reacted to Xhaka’s performance against the Hammers.

Xhaka sent Noble back to Upton Park pic.twitter.com/ui3VqLpXmh

— Ahmed (@Ahmed91Gooner) April 5, 2017

Thought Granit Xhaka was excellent tonight. Some terrific passing and positioning. Good to see.

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) April 5, 2017

Much better from Arsenal tonight. Happy with Gabriel & Mustafi but most impressed by Xhaka who is beginning to purr. 3 very welcome points.

— FK³ (@fkhanage) April 5, 2017

It's amazing what Xhaka can do when he's not partnered with a brainless imbecile and left to do the work of two men. Elneny compliments him.

— TerryAFC (@TerryAFCx) April 5, 2017

Xhaka and ElNeny have been good, very positive play form them and quick build up.

— Dezil Dez (@DezilDezz) April 5, 2017

In my opinion, Xhaka is a top quality midfielder that Arsenal must build their midfield around. The club can no longer depend on Cazorla, who is becoming injury prone and moving into the latter years of his career.

He’s has addressed his attitude problem recently and has become much calmer and more reliable on the ball. Arsenal need this kind of performance from Xhaka for the remainder of the season if they are to be successful in the FA Cup and qualify for the Champions League for a 23rd consecutive year.

Jaap Stam has been linked with a move to West Ham this summer, with uncertainty growing over the future of Slaven Bilic at the club. Whilst West Ham have publically backed Bilic, poor results for the rest of the season would surely give the club no choice but to look at other managers.

Here’s a look at how the Hammers could line-up under Stam, who is having a fantastic season at Reading currently.

GK - Darren Randolph

Randolph has worked his way into the West Ham team ahead of Adrian and in my opinion, will keep his place in the West Ham team next season. He’s earned the right to play a full season as the Hammers keeper. He’s had some games to forget (Man City), but also some to remember (vs. Southampton and Bournemouth). West Ham would be better off spending their budget on other areas of the pitch and leave Adrian to compete with Randolph for the goalkeeper spot.

Manchester United have a lot of work to do under Jose Mourinho this summer and the Portuguese boss is preparing for another flurry of transfer window activity.

Amidst all the deals that could bring fresh faces to Old Trafford, Manchester United will also be wary of losing key assists to other top sides in Europe- and goalkeeper David De Gea is one player in particular they’ll have to fend off interest in.

The Spaniard continues to attract a wealth of interest from Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid but United have a back-up plan if he does seal a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, with The Manchester Evening News stating Jan Oblak is keen on a switch to the Premier League giants.

Conceding just 18 goals in La Liga last season, 24-year-old Oblak is widely regarded to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world but Manchester United would have to face a huge sum to land his signature- likely one that would eclipse the world-record fee paid for a goalkeeper, which currently stands at the £33m Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

Money is not a problem for United though and the comments from a source close to the player will give the Red Devils a real boost if they elect to pursue Oblak’s signature.

What’s been said?

A source told The Manchester Evening News:

“I think for every player it is an honour to come to the UK and play for clubs like this one. A lot of top clubs from Europe wants the best goalkeeper in the world. In the UK, there are three of them who show an interest regarding Jan Oblak.”

“If De Gea goes back to Spain, everything is possible.”

How expensive would a deal be?

With a release-clause of £85m, and with Atletico Madrid having no intention to sell, securing Jan Oblak’s signature may be difficult. However, Atleti are set for a summer of change as they leave the Vicente Calderon and they could lose the services of key-men like Antoine Griezmann.

Oblak is close to both Griezmann and Jose Gimenez, both of whom have been linked with a move to Manchester United, and he may feel this summer is the right time to leave Atletico- with Real Madrid and Barcelona halting their rise in Spanish football.

On the continent, Atletico are going strong and are set to face Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but the Spaniards have lost in the final in two of the last three seasons, so Oblak may feel his best chance of continental glory lies elsewhere.

That said, Manchester United may not be able to offer Champions League football and that could throw a spanner in the works of any potential deal.

Chelsea have stormed through the Premier League campaign this season but Antonio Conte is set to make significant changes in the summer transfer window to bolster his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

One area the Blues are focusing on strengthening is at right-back, with The Daily Mirror stating Conte’s side have identified two prime-targets to bolster the squad; Atalanta’s Andrea Conti and Hoffenheim’s Jeremy Toljan.

Chelsea scouts have watched the pair recently, keeping tabs on Conti during Atalanta’s 5-0 victory over Genoa at the weekend, where he scored the opening goal, whilst German U21 international Toljan was watched against England and Portugal during the international break.

Conte has eyed Toljan since his days as Juventus manager and Conti has risen up his wish-list with his performances this season.

Who’s more likely to move?

Both Toljan and Conti could be on the market this summer as they seek to give themselves a chance of featuring for Italy and Germany respectively at the World Cup next summer but the signature of Conti from Atalanta could be easier to secure.

Sat third in the Bundesliga standing, eight points above fifth-place, Hoffenheim are on-course for Champions League football next season and Toljan, who has risen through the youth ranks at the club, may be keen to be a part of that historic campaign.

The German outlet have never played in Europe, having only secured a place in the Bundesliga in 2008, so the youngster is set to achieve something that the squad has never accomplished before.

Atalanta, meanwhile, sit fifth in Serie A but are six points behind Napoli and the Champions League places. Europa League football for the club is a great achievement but the prospect of playing in Europe’s elite tier with Chelsea could be too difficult to turn down.

How much would they cost?

TransferMarkt values Andrea Conti at around £5.1m, whilst Toljan is valued at the low price of £2.98m. However, Chelsea would have to pay well over those figures to secure either player as the selling club holds a strong negotiating position.

Conti is tied down with Atalanta until 2021 but Toljan’s contract is due to expire in 2018, which means Chelsea could swoop and secure the player for a smaller fee this summer. As mentioned though, he may opt to extend his deal and stay with Hoffenheim for their upcoming Champions League adventure.

Chelsea surge towards Premier League glory was halted by Crystal Palace at the weekend and there’s a real danger that they could concede their advantage in the league standings over the coming weeks.

The Blues hold a seven point advantage over Tottenham Hotspur heading into the midweek Premier League fixtures and that could be cut to just four points by the end of play tomorrow, should Chelsea lose to Manchester City and Spurs beat Swansea.

Antonio Conte’s side need to treat the defeat to Crystal Palace as a wake-up call and make sufficient alterations to their side as a result, to ensure the squad is kept fresh and, crucially, doesn’t get complacent as we approach the latter end of the season.

With a few tweaks to the side that lost to Palace at the weekend, Chelsea can return to winning ways against Pep Guardiola’s side. Here, we’ve selected the ideal XI to tackle the Citizens.

GK: Thibaut Courtois

The Belgian goalkeeper has been an ever-present figure for the Blues this season, playing all 29 games of the Blues charge to the top of the Premier League. During that time, he’s conceded just 23 goals- a number only Tottenham Hotspur (21) can better.

With 13 clean-sheets, the highest in the league, Courtois has been an important member of a Chelsea defence that has been extremely difficult to break down. They’ll need him to be at his best against Manchester City, who have scored 56 goals this season.

Liverpool enjoyed a good weekend last time out, as the Reds beat Everton in the Merseyside derby and saw Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all drop points.

The Reds therefore maintained third spot in the Premier League standings and have their hopes of Champions League football in their own hands, as they can keep in the top-four even if their rivals win their games in hand.

Having secured four points from clashes against Manchester City and Everton, Jurgen Klopp’s side are now preparing for a favourable run-in to the season but they’ll need to improve, having struggled against lower-end opposition this season.

On Wednesday, Liverpool host a Bournemouth side who defeated them on the South Coast earlier this season and the Reds will be keen on revenge. With Manchester United and Manchester City both facing stern tests this midweek, it’s an opportunity for Liverpool to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.

Here, we’ve selected the Liverpool XI that Klopp should select to overcome the threat of the Cherries.

GK: Simon Mignolet

Liverpool’s goalkeeping ranks are the weakest section of their squad but Simon Mignolet has managed to retain his spot as number one despite the summer signing of Loris Karius. Whilst the situation may change in the summer, Mignolet should definitely start against Bournemouth.

The Belgian has started 20 games for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and needs to show the best of his ability if the Reds are to retain their spot amongst the top-four. That means cutting out the mishaps that have plagued him during his time in Anfield but he has the capability to do that.

Arsenal face a difficult summer ahead of them as the Gunners risk missing out on Champions League football, whilst there could also be a wealth of departures from the first-team.

Amongst the stars tipped to move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer is two-time Copa America winner Alexis Sanchez, who is rapidly approaching the final 12 months of his contract with the Gunners and seems increasingly unlikely to pen a new deal.

His situation has attracted a wealth of interest in his services and French outlet RMC Sport has stated Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have opened negotiations with the Chilean, whilst The Daily Telegraph adds Alexis would prefer a move to Stamford Bridge.

Naturally, Arsenal would prefer not to sell to a Premier League rival but Alexis’ contract situation does not put them in a strong bargaining position and any reluctance to sell could leave the door open for the 28-year-old to leave on a free transfer next summer.

Who leads the battle?

As mentioned, Chelsea are keen to bring Alexis Sanchez across London and the Chilean prefers a move to Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues’ strong rivalry with Arsenal makes a deal unlikely- and the same can be said for Manchester City.

In Europe, the likes of Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have been linked with the Chilean’s signature, whilst there has also been a mention of interest from Sevilla, but Alexis’ likely demands for Champions League football could rule Inter out of the race.

That would leave Juventus and PSG as the big-hitters for Alexis’ signature and a move to the French capital would seem more likely, as the oil-rich club have far more weight to throw about in the transfer market than their Turin counterparts.

Is there any chance of Alexis staying?

Alexis Sanchez could still stay at Arsenal but his decision is unlikely to come down to money and will instead to built around what he believes he can achieve with a transfer. If he were to stay in North London, Arsenal would need to show significant improvements.

Finishing the season strongly would be unlikely to be enough to convince Alexis to stay and they’d have to show the Chilean they’re determined to turn things around- which could involve a major squad overhaul, replacing Arsene Wenger or going all-out in the transfer market.

Arsenal spent over £110m last summer but don’t have too much to show for it performance wise, so any persuasion on the transfer front would likely come from the calibre of players signed rather than the money spent.

Liverpool have made good progress under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp but there is still a lot of work to be done if the Reds are to end their long wait for league glory.

Klopp’s side are likely to be very active in the transfer market this summer and the Reds are eyeing top-quality youngsters to bolster their ranks, with a specific focus on midfielders. Having seen long-term target Mahmoud Dahoud seal a move to Borussia Dortmund, the Merseyside outfit will be keen to identify an alternative option.

The Reds will have therefore been worried by suggestions that Julian Brandt had agreed a move from Bayer Leverkusen to Bayern Munich but The Liverpool Echo reports that the German ace’s father has denied such an agreement exists, leaving the Reds still pursuing a deal.

A clause in Brandt’s contract indicates he can move for just €12.5m in the summer of 2018 but his father, who also acts as his agent, disputed the claim that a deal worth that figure was in place for the upcoming summer window.

What was said?

Speaking to Kicker and quoted by The Liverpool Echo, Jurgen Brandt said:

“It is fake news that Julian has agreed terms with Bayern. Julian has never been in the situation where he had to - or wanted to - make a decision on his future.”

However, he did admit interest in his client was high. In comments made to Sky Deutchsland, he said:

“There isn’t any trend nor any agreement. Julian will speak to Leverkusen about the season and his future in the summer. There have been enquiries from Bayern as well as others - but only to me. I collect these but there’s nothing concrete yet.”

“Julian hasn’t made any decision as to his future yet. He hasn’t spoken with any of those responsible at Bayern such as (Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge, (Uli) Hoeness or (Michael) Reschke, nor has he spoken to (Carlo) Ancelotti.”

Can Liverpool do a deal?

Regardless of whether a deal with Bayern Munich has been agreed yet, Liverpool will still face a huge test to land Brandt’s signature- especially as German players have a strong record of making transfers to other Bundesliga sides.

With Bayern Munich also losing the services of veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso this summer to retirement, the Bavarian giants have a hole in their midfield to fill and Brandt could be the ideal fit. Moving to the Allianz Arena could also bolster his chances of making Germany’s World Cup squad next summer and that may play into a decision.

For Liverpool, securing a Champions League finish will be decisive to any hope they have of landing Brandt’s signature and Jurgen Klopp will have a lot of work to do to demonstrate Liverpool are a side capable of going toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.

Arsenal and Manchester United could look to swoop and secure the signature of a Leicester City ace this summer, with the Foxes fearful they’ll have to fend-off interest in their midfielder.

Wilfred Ndidi only arrived at the King Power Stadium in January, for a fee around £17m, but the Foxes are concerned he could jump ship in the summer as both Arsenal and Manchester United eye a move, as reported by The Daily Mirror.

Signed by the Foxes to fill the void left by N’Golo Kante’s summer move to Premier League leaders Chelsea, Ndidi has impressed and the 20-year-old, who snubbed interest from Arsenal last summer, could find himself on the move again.

Where would he fit in?

Both Manchester United and Arsenal are seeking midfield improvements this summer and both Premier League giants face the prospect of replacing long-serving members of their squad in the not-too-distant future.

The Red Devils are likely to wave goodbye to Michael Carrick at the end of the season and need a combative midfielder to fill that void, whilst Arsenal continue to seek a long-term replacement for Santi Cazorla.

Whilst Ndidi isn’t comparable to Cazorla, the Gunners would certainly benefit from additional strength in the midfield and a partnership alongside Granit Xhaka could give the North London side the catalyst to build success upon.

Could he stay?

Having only recently signed for Leicester, he could elect to stay with the Foxes. However, the defending Premier League champions face an uncertain future after slipping down the table this season and it’s unclear where their long-term status lies.

Nigerian ace Ndidi, who has been capped six times by his national side, will have aspirations of representing the African team in next summer’s World Cup but his nation still face a battle to get through the qualifying stages- although they’ve taken maximum points from their two matches in Round 3 so far.

Should Ndidi seal a move and play in European competition, his chances of making Nigeria’s squad would be significantly boosted and that could play into any decision he makes.

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Arsenal are set for major changes this summer and a host of big-names could leave the Emirates Stadium amongst a squad overhaul.

Whilst the Gunners have been public in their desire to keep 25-year-old Jack Wilshere, the England international is rapidly approaching the final 12 months of his contract and is seeking first-team assurances before he puts pen-to-paper on an extension.

Having struggled during recent years with a wealth of injury problems, Wilshere has impressed on-loan with Bournemouth and Cherries boss Eddie Howe has confirmed he’d like to sign the midfielder on a permanent deal this summer.

However, interest in the Arsenal academy graduate is high and Wilshere’s signature this summer could fetch a premium price.

What’s been said?

Quoted by The Telegraph, Howe said after the weekend’s goalless draw with Southampton:

“I’ve always said we would love to sign him. But that decision will rest with Arsenal. He’s played so many games. This is just a little spell where he’s been out of the team but he’s still coming on to great effect.”

Is Bournemouth the right fit?

Jack Wilshere may have found his feet in Bournemouth but moving to the Cherries on a permanent basis could effect his chances of making the England squad next summer, where Wilshere will aim to represent the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Moving to a bigger side may end up being the best course of action for Wilshere and he has options ahead of him, with The Sun stating this weekend that West Ham will offer £30m to Arsenal and give the midfielder the opportunity of remaining in London.

Wilshere could also have the option to move abroad, with The Daily Mail stating last month he’s open to a move to AC Milan- where he’d follow in the footsteps of former England captain David Beckham, who spent successful loan spells in Italy with the club.