The transfer window can be a frustrating time for Arsenal fans. Arsene Wenger can be famously stubborn when it comes to recruiting new players, refusing to bring in new signings unless he is absolutely convinced they provide value for money.

In the last transfer window, Arsenal did not sign a single outfield player. The consequences of that decision are being felt keenly now as the Gunners struggle to cope with a predictable injury crisis. 

However, it’s not as if Arsenal aren’t linked with a huge variety of top players. They have vast resources at their disposal and are a desirable destination for many of the game’s best talents. In this piece, we take a look at the Fantasy XI that could be assembled from the players Arsenal have been linked to in the past 12 months.

The Gunners did actually recruit a top-class goalkeeper this summer, signing Petr Cech from London rivals Chelsea. Had Roman Abramovich failed to sanction a move, it seems Arsenal might have moved for Hugo Lloris. According to Charles Perrin of the Express, reports from France suggested the Gunners were willing to test Tottenham’s resolve to keep their keeper and captain. Had Lloris followed Sol Campbell in moving across north London, it would have been both controversial and expensive, but he would certainly still have represented an upgrade on Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina.

It’s somewhat surprising that Arsenal were linked with any right-backs at all given the fact that they have Hector Bellerin, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson on their books. Nevertheless, the January transfer window saw them linked by Italian website Tutto Mercato (h/t the Mirror) with a swoop for Portuguese international Joao Pereira. The move never came to pass, but he’d doubtless provide a competent option at full-back.

On the opposite flank, Arsenal were said to be one of the clubs tracking former Ipswich defender Tyrone Mings. According to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, the Gunners were hot on his trail after his impressive performances in the Championship. Ultimately, Mings moved to Bournemouth, where he presumably felt he would stand a better chance of first-team football. Unfortunately, injury has sidelined Mings for the foreseeable future, but he remains a big prospect.

A recent story from Steve Stammers of the Mirror suggested Arsenal are now considering a move for Everton’s John Stones. Stones has been one of the outstanding performers in this season’s Premier League and would have the potential to follow in the tradition of great English centre-halves at Arsenal that includes Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Martin Keown and the aforementioned Campbell.

Alongside him, French powerhouse Samuel Umtiti would be a very complementary partner. Arsenal were linked with Umtiti back in the summer, per James Cambridge of the Express, but ultimately he chose to sign a new deal with Lyon. Nevertheless, his combination of power and technical ability would be a great fit for this Gunners XI.

Moving into midfield, Arsenal might already rue allowing Morgan Schneiderlin to join Manchester United. Although reports had suggested Arsenal were very interested in the former Southampton man, the emergence of Francis Coquelin convinced Wenger he did not need to pursue the holding midfielder. Jack Wilson of the Star claimed that Arsenal simply didn’t think Schneiderlin offered value for money. Coquelin’s subsequent injury has made the folly of that decision plain.

Another French international who impressed the Emirates Stadium faithful was Geoffrey Kondogbia. He starred in Monaco’s 3-1 victory over the Gunners, eventually earning himself a move to Inter Milan. However, Sky Sports Italia (h/t the Star) had previously insisted he was a target for Wenger and Arsenal, with the Gunners boss even said to have met Kondogbia personally to try to secure a deal. How Gunners fans wish they had the marauding midfielder at their disposal right now.

On the left wing, Arsenal fans would love to see Marco Reus take to the turf in their colours. During the summer, SportBild (h/t Metro) suggested the Gunners were willing to pay a massive £48 million to sign the German international from Borussia Dortmund. His speed and skill would delight the Emirates crowd, and his combination with the overlapping Mings would be a fearsome prospect.

On the right-hand side, Arsenal could field Edinson Cavani. Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail claimed the Uruguayan was a deadline-day target for Wenger‘s side, but ultimately he ended up staying with PSG. Although more comfortable as a central striker, Cavani has the versatility to operate from the right wing, having been forced to do so to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Paris.

The identity of Arsenal’s fantasy No. 9 should come as no great surprise. Arsenal were linked with Karim Benzema for much of the summer, and Spanish website Fichajes (h/t the Mirror) have even suggested they may be preparing a new bid to prise the Frenchman away from Real Madrid. Although Benzema‘s subsequent off-field troubles suggest Arsenal may have dodged a bullet, his on-field ability is not in doubt. With Reus and Cavani supporting from the flanks, Benzema would surely stand to become Arsenal’s most prolific centre-forward since Robin van Persie.

Finally then, who should fill the coveted No. 10 spot? Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 system is currently constructed around liberating Mesut Ozil, and it will take a special talent to replace his playmaking abilities.

Step forward Lionel Messi. In one of the strangest rumours of the last 12 months, Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star suggested that the Gunners were in pole position to land the Argentine should he ever decide to leave Barcelona. A pay packet of £600,000 per week was even mentioned, which would shatter Arsenal’s current wage structure and make him the highest-paid player in world football.

It would surely be worth it. A front line of Messi, Cavani, Reus and Benzema would rival any in the history of the English game.

Such a line-up is, of course, pure fantasy. The reality is that it would thrill Arsenal fans to see any of that stellar quartet in an Arsenal shirt. Well, the transfer window is coming up. The onus is on Arsene Wenger to transform fantasy to reality.

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