Arsenal's electric starting XI next season if Mikel Arteta lands £176m trio

are 12 points behind with one game to go. And ahead of a summer in which the Reds are expected to strengthen, the Gunners can ill afford to let their own squad stagnate.

Fans are desperate for reinforcements out wide and up top, while it looks as though a new face is poised to be introduced to the midfield. 's line-up could be in title-chasing shape with a trio of signings worth a combined £176million. Here, Express Sport takes you through how the XI may look in 2025/26...

Arsenal's predicted XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Raya

Arsenal have long had their eye on Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia as a new back-up option. But even if they do get their hands on the 24-year-old, the move may not threaten David Raya's No. 1 spot off the back of what has been another impressive campaign.

Defence: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly

The Gunners undoubtedly need to splash out this summer, but improvements to the back-four should only be a matter of strength in depth. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber have both been superb at left and right-back respectively this term, and there appears to be little prospect of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes being broken up as a centre-back partnership any time soon.

Midfield: ZUBIMENDI, Rice, Odegaard

The incumbent trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are already made of title-challenging material. But it is evident that Arteta needs to revamp his midfield ranks in order to take Arsenal to the next level.

Arteta wants Partey to stay in north London amid ongoing talks over a contract extension, but the Ghanaian will turn 32 in less than a month. The introduction of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, who reportedly has a to sign for the Gunners once they trigger his , could not only offer younger, fresher legs, but also provide the shake-up Odegaard needs to get back to his best and allow Rice to slow in as the anchor.

Attack: Saka, GYOKERES, RODRYGO

It has become clear this season that Bukayo Saka is doing too much of the heavy lifting in Arsenal's front-three. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have each come up with memorable moments in red and white, but an injection of attacking quality may be required to knock Liverpool off their perch.

Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres is believed to be the player at the top of Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta's list. The 26-year-old has scored 39 goals in 33 league games this season and has a price tag of up to .

The Gunners had been keen on Athletic Club's Nico Williams for their left-wing berth, but Real Madrid star Rodrygo has now emerged as a serious contender, with reporting that talks have commenced behind the scenes. Other reports indicate that Los Blancos would be willing to sell him for around .