Four potential free transfer targets for Arsenal with links to Mikel Arteta

After an inauspicious start as manager at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta has streamlined his Arsenal squad into one of their best in recent memory.

The Spaniard hasn't been afraid to splash the cash this summer, with significant investment coming in the arrivals of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber after a positive season in which the Gunners finished second in the Premier League.

Arteta's squad roster is as complete as it could be, but there a few opportunities in the free agent market the north London side could look at if they want another added level of depth.

Here are some unattached players with links to Arteta.

Alexis Sanchez

Sometimes it's best to leave some playing spells in the past and not try to repeat them. On the face of it, there's little to suggest Sanchez, who left Arsenal midway through the 2017/18 season for Manchester United, could still perform to the high level he used to at the Emirates.

That said, he scored 14 goals last time out at Marseille, netting over ten for the first time in a league season since 2016/17, when he was in scorching form for the Gunners, netting 24 times in the Premier League.

There's still a bit of bad blood between Sanchez and Arsenal fans, but with Gabriel Jesus set to miss the opening of the 2023/24 season, perhaps a short-term deal for the Chile legend would be a handy stop-gap.

Adama Traore

Adama Traore doesn't exactly scream 'La Masia' as a player, but it was a major stage in the former Wolves flier's development as a youngster. It's also a similar path trodden by Arteta, who never got to make a senior appearance for Barca.

Traore did so in two separate spells - the second an odd loan in 2022 which left the Spain international none the wiser over his long-term future - but he may prefer to stay in England if the opportunity arises.

The 27-year-old is a player with the capacity to destroy big teams on his day and his pace and strength would be a massive benefit for Arteta, with few of his Arsenal players boasting such freakish athleticism.

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Tom Davies

Everton battered Manchester City 4-0 little over five years ago in a result that simply would not materialise in the current climate. Tom Davies announced himself to the world that day, playing a role in three goals - including a strike of his own.

Arteta made more appearances for the Toffees as a player than any other of his sides and knows what it takes for midfielders to succeed at Goodison Park.

Davies didn't really manage that, fading into the background almost as quickly as he had emerged, but he was once thought of as one of the world's most promising youngsters and Arteta would back himself to get the best out of the 25-year-old when managers like Sam Allardyce, Frank Lampard and Rafa Benitez have failed.

Alfredo Morelos

Arteta adapted quickly to the Premier League, thanks in part to two outstanding and combative seasons with Rangers.

He's not quite as feisty as Colombia striker Alfredo Morelos and Arteta may not be too keen to sign a walking red card having only just tamed and subsequently got rid of Granit Xhaka. However, if the Spanish boss wants a focal point up front who can thrive off chaos and opposition uncertainty, Morelos might be the ideal candidate.

Bringing such a confrontational player into a settled squad would be a massive call, but just imagine the scenes if Morelos netted the winner in a north London derby.

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