Rodrygo, Benjamin Sesko? What key signings could transform Arsenal from contenders to champions?

The 2024-25 campaign was one of both progression and stagnation for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, as the Gunners reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2008-09, but also finished as Premier League runners-up for the third consecutive season.

Arsenal were tipped by many before the campaign to finally bridge the gap to the Premier League title and claim the trophy for the first time since 2003-04, but instead they fell further behind, finishing 10 points behind champions Liverpool with 74 points - 15 fewer than their 2023-24 tally and 10 fewer than in 2022-23.

The season may have only just concluded, but the perennial runners-up have already identified several key positions for major signings in the summer transfer window, with these transfers aimed at ending Arsenal's more than 20-year wait for a Premier League title.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the key signings that could help transform Arsenal from contender to champions.

Benjamin Sesko - Prolific Powerhouse

One of the standout regressions for Arsenal this season has come in the attacking third, where the Gunners have set several unwanted records and clearly taken a step back compared to the previous two campaigns.

The Gunners may have netted 69 times in the Premier League, behind only Liverpool (89) and Manchester City (72), but that is 22 fewer goals than last term and 14 less than in 2022-23, and that is largely due to Arsenal failing to have a player reach double-digit league goals for the first time since 1923-24, with Kai Havertz their top scorer on just nine goals.

While injuries to key forwards such as Bukayo Saka, Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus certainly contributed in setting that unwanted record, it also underscores Arsenal’s ever-growing need for a true number nine to lead the line.

Sesko is reportedly one of several options identified by Arsenal, particularly alongside Viktor Gyokeres, but it appears that Arsenal and Arteta favour a move for the £70m-rated RB Leipzig forward.

Despite being just 22 years old, Sesko has already established a history of consistent goalscoring, including recording double-digit league goals in two consecutive seasons since joining RB Leipzig in 2023, with 14 Bundesliga goals in 31 appearances in 2022-23 and 13 in 33 in 2023-24.

Sesko offers a more instinctive box presence than Havertz, who often drops deep to support build-up play due to being a natural midfielder, and by staying further forward, the Slovenian could create more space for the likes of Martin Odegaard to orchestrate in midfield.

Another major problem for Arsenal was their inability to close out games, as the Gunners dropped 21 points from winning positions and set a club record by failing to win 10 league matches from such leads, and a clinical striker like Sesko could be the difference in sealing those matches and securing all three points.

Rodrygo - Flying Forward

A striker is the standout improvement needed in Arsenal’s frontline, but there is certainly room to strengthen at left wing, with the right wing spot firmly held by Saka and understudied by Ethan Nwaneri.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are no slouches, with the Brazilian contributing 12 league goals and the Belgian adding 15 goal contributions, but compared to Saka’s 16 in limited minutes and Nwaneri’s six, the frontline clearly leans heavily in favour of the right.

Aiming to balance the scales and add another world-class forward to the roster, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Real Madrid's Rodrygo, who has slipped down the pecking order behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Rodrygo has largely been deployed on the right side of Real Madrid's front three, but the right-footed Brazilian supposedly prefers the left side and would be the ideal signing for Arsenal, providing the increased attacking threat and pedigree that Martinelli and Trossard may lack.

The Brazilian scored six and assisted five in 30 La Liga appearances, of which 22 were starts, alongside five goals and two assists in 10 Champions League starts.

Rodrygo would undoubtedly command a significant transfer fee, while the Brazilian may need some persuading given the potential of a fresh start under Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid, but Arsenal must jump on any potential opportunity to sign the winger, who still has his best years ahead of him at just 23-years-old.

The winger could provide the added initiative in attack that, alongside a new striker, allows Arsenal to seal games and drop fewer points, which was ultimately one of the biggest issues that led to another runners-up finish.

Martin Zubimendi - Midfield Marshal

Zubimendi has consistently been linked with a move away from Real Sociedad over the last year, with potential moves to both Arsenal and Liverpool failing to materialise last summer as the midfielder opted to remain at his boyhood club.

Reports throughout the campaign suggested that Zubimendi is set to sign for Arsenal in this summer window, and it is appearing increasingly likely that the Gunners will activate the Spaniard's £51m release clause and bring him to North London.

Zubimendi appears to be the perfect fit in the deepest role of Arsenal’s midfield three, potentially serving as the foundation that helps elevate Odegaard to the level of seasons past and further enhancing the sheer brilliance of Declan Rice.

Odegaard experienced arguably his worst campaign since joining Arsenal in January 2020, contributing 11 goals in the league - down from 18 and 22 in the last two terms, while producing particularly poor performances on the biggest stage.

Several factors have played a part in his decline, with Odegaard often tasked with dictating the tempo and also acting as Arsenal’s main creative passing source through the middle, with Rice operating as a more all-action midfielder and Thomas Partey focusing on breaking up play.

Zubimendi would allow Odegaard to move further up the pitch, as the Spaniard excels as a deep-lying passer, and with a new striker vacating from Odegaard’s usual creative zones, the captain could thrive between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines.

That could unlock Arsenal's attacking creativity, lifting them back to the goal records of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, while a level head in the middle of the park would also help the Gunners control games and dictate the tempo - another factor that would help them avoid dropping points from winning positions and could result in them lifting the title.