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How Arsenal could line up with Nabil Fekir, Wilfried Zaha

Nabil Fekir and Wilfried Zaka have been linked with a switch to Arsenal in recent days, but how would the arrival of the duo impact on Unai Emery's starting lineup?

Arsenal's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League has resulted in manager Unai Emery being left with a limited budget for the summer transfer window.

However, that has not prevented frequent speculation regarding potential arrivals and departures at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners attempt to strengthen their first-team squad.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is said to be high on Arsenal's shortlist, with the player himself allegedly keen on a move due having supported the club during his childhood.

The Premier League outfit have also been credited with an interest in Lyon attacker Nabil Fekir, who appears destined to sign for a top European club in the future.

Sales are necessary, though, and Arsenal will have to find a buyer for Mesut Ozil and most likely have to cash in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in order to complete a double deal, which could cost £130m.

Here, Sports Mole assesses how Arsenal could line up next season if they can sign both of Fekir and Zaha.



ARSXI with Fekir, Zaha.

Emery has frequently rotated his wingers during his time at Arsenal, even using Aubameyang on either flank in a bid to keep both the Gabon international and Alexandre Lacazette in the team.

However, Zaha would be regarded as first choice on the left wing should he make the switch across London, leaving Aubameyang with one fewer position to fill in the final third.

Regardless of the 30-year-old finishing last season as joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League, the fact that he has just two years left on his contract effectively means that Arsenal would consider his sale over Lacazette, who could find himself as the number-one frontman in a few weeks time.

The addition of Fekir would provide Emery with more options, although the playmaker would almost certainly find himself in the number 10 role with Ozil having been required to leave Arsenal in order to accommodate his arrival.

Alex Iwobi has sometimes filled that position when Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been used on the right, but Emery would likely give the nod to the academy graduate out wide given his higher work-rate.

While the acquisitions of Fekir and Zaha would not really impact on the remainder of the team in terms of personnel, Emery may find it difficult to use a back three, unless he plays Fekir behind a front two of Zaha and Lacazette.

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Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal on May 9, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
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10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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