Luiz and Sesko sign, Murillo transfer, Nketiah call - Mikel Arteta's dream 25-man Arsenal squad

The summer transfer window officially opens this week! Mikel Arteta will be keen for Arsenal to strengthen in a number of areas in the coming months ahead of the 2024/25 season kicking off on August 17.

The Gunners narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last campaign, with Manchester City topping the table by two points. It was the north Londoners' second consecutive title challenge and Arteta will want to ensure that his side are again challenging for major honours in the upcoming campaign.

To do that, Arsenal will need to be active in this summer's transfer window, which opens on Friday, June 14 and closes on Friday, August 30. Several players are expected to leave the club while a number of stars have been linked with moves to Emirates Stadium.

With it being so early on, it's anybody's guess what Arteta's Arsenal squad will look like once the transfer window is over. That being said, football.london comes up with what would be the Spaniard's 'dream' 25-man squad next season.

Goalkeepers: Raya, Bijlow, Hein

Arsenal are expected to sign David Raya from Brentford in the coming weeks. The goalkeeper spent last season on loan at the Gunners and when the deal was announced last August, it was confirmed that the loan deal included an option to buy the player in Arsenal's favour for a £27million fee. With Raya part of Spain's Euro 2024 squad, a deal is most likely to be announced sometime in July.

Aaron Ramsdale's future is less clear, however, and the 26-year-old could push for a move away from Emirates Stadium in search of regular game time. Arsenal would likely be open to a sale but only if a suitable offer arrives. If the England international does indeed depart, the Gunners would need to sign a replacement.

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Arteta's side are monitoring Feyenoord star Justin Bijlow's situation and a bid of around €10million (£8.4million) could persuade the Dutch club to do a deal. Other names worth mentioning are Wolves' Jose Sa and Brighton's Jason Steele. It all depends on if Ramsdale does leave, however. Elsewhere, Karl Hein is currently considering a contract offer from Arsenal and should he accept and not leave as a free agent he would be an ideal third choice.

Defenders: White, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Timber, Murillo

Not a lot was wrong with Arsenal's defence last season. In fact, the Gunners had the best defensive record in the Premier League, with David Raya winning the Golden Glove. Still, I expect a number of fringe stars to depart, such as Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney - who could fetch decent fees.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have been linked with moves away but I would keep both for the time being as Arteta will need quality and depth. Jurrien Timber will be like a new signing given he missed the majority of last season and has the ability to play either at left-back or right-back.

I would make one signing to improve the backline, however. Nottingham Forest star Murillo impressed throughout the 2023/24 campaign and would be a good signing for the north Londoners. At the age of 21 he has huge potential and would be a good third-choice centre-back for Arteta to have at his disposal, allowing Gabriel and William Saliba the chance to sit certain games out. Murillo is also Brazilian and we all know Edu loves buying a fellow countryman.

Midfielders: Odegaard, Partey, Jorginho, Luiz, Vieira, Rice, Nwaneri

A handful of Arsenal midfielders face uncertain futures so what happens here may depend on who leaves. Thomas Partey and Fabio Vieira have been linked with exits this summer but I would keep them both. Partey wouldn't command a sizeable fee anyway due having one year remaining on his contract and offers plenty of experience. Vieira has struggled since arriving from Porto two years ago but I would give him one more year to show his quality.

Emile Smith Rowe and Albert Sambi Lokonga are two players Arteta is probably happy to say goodbye to. Smith Rowe just hasn't been given the minutes needed to progress his career over the past two years and will have plenty of suitors. Lokonga, too, performed well for Luton Town during his loan spell last season and could leave for around £15million.

Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are certain starters for Arteta but the third spot remains open. Jorginho, Partey and Vieira are more than capable of filling in but Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz is admired by the Gunners and Arteta. The Brazilian continues to be linked with a move to Emirates Stadium and would be a quality addition to an already quality midfield. It's also worth giving Ethan Nwaneri a mention as the youngster looks ready to make the step up to first team football, having been given his debut by Arteta at the age of 15 in September 2022.

Forwards: Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard, Tsygankov, Havertz, Sesko

This is where Edu could really have some fun this summer. Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson can be allowed to leave and given their age they will both likely bring in good money. Nketiah especially would likely command a fee of more than £30million.

football.london understands that the Gunners are interested in strengthening the forward line, too. Benjamin Sesko impressed at RB Leipzig last season, contributing to 20 goals in 42 appearances, and looks to be the number one target at the moment. The 21-year-old has a release clause of £55million but that expires at the end of this month.

Another player who Arsenal could bring in this window is Viktor Tsygankov. The Girona winger can play on both sides but is predominantly a right winger so will offer much needed cover for Bukayo Saka, especially if Nelson departs. He scored eight goals and assisted seven more last season so would be a decent addition to the squad.

Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz - who can also play in midfield - make up the Gunners forward options, given Arteta plenty of options across the season.

Arteta's 'dream' 25-man squad: Raya, Bijlow, Hein; White, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Timber, Murillo; Odegaard, Partey, Jorginho, Luiz, Vieira, Rice, Nwaneri; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard, Tsygankov, Havertz, Sesko.