What they ask

First of all, the club are pretty strict on what they want. Attacking, possession football is a must, while developing players using the strong youth facilities you have in place is also a demand from the board.

Like most of the bigger clubs on the game, the board do not care for the EFL Cup and success is in the FA Cup is only really relevant if the league and Champions League are not going to plan. Winning the league is the initial demand, although competing will probably be enough to keep your job, and a run to the quarters of the Champions League is asked for.

What they give

A fair bit of flexibility on the wage budget and a healthy transfer budget mean you have freedom to go wild in the transfer market.

Retaining plenty of the money from sales, a couple of marquee signings are well within the realms of possibility.

Three to Buy

Bernardo Silva

Attacking midfield is one of Arsenal’s stronger areas, but the talent of Bernardo Silva is impossible to ignore.

He will cost a princely amount, but he is certainly worth it. Versatile, hard-working and with potential to be a Ballon D’or winner – get scouting.

Matteo Darmian

Darmian is not a starter at Arsenal, but would be a very useful addition for depth.

Comfortable on either side of the defence and able to play as a wing-back, the Italian is a short-term acquisition in many ways. He is a means to an end and many managers would rather sign a young talent for that role.

Victor Kovalenko

Midfield playmakers aren’t in short supply at Arsenal, admittedly, yet Kovalenko would be a solid addition to the squad.

Far from at his peak, he could be the long-term Cazorla replacement in your squad.

Three to Sell

Francis Coquelin

With Elneny, Xhaka, Cazorla and Ramsey, Arsenal’s midfield is particularly hectic.

Coquelin, who has a limited set of attributes, is unlikely to get many games, even if you are playing a sitting midfielder. Sell him on, upgrade him, and your squad will be looking a fair bit stronger.

Kieran Gibbs

Sadly, Gibbs is not going to improve any further. His role as a backup left-back is handy, but a little unnecessary.

A player capable of covering in more positions would be more useful and Gibbs can still be sold for a decent fee.

Danny Welbeck

Unable to be sold initially because of his long-term injury, Welbeck has reached his ceiling and it is a matter of time until he becomes surplus to requirement.

Sell him while his value is still high and you could recoup quite a sizeable fee.

Three to Nurture

Jeff Reine-Adelaide

Spoken of positively for several years, Reine-Adelaide is ready to be a first team option even in the first season of your save.

However, such is the attacking depth at Arsenal, it is probably best he is sent on loan and used in 2017/18.

Reiss Nelson

Yet another attacking midfielder off the Arsenal production line, Nelson – with the right care – can develop into one of the Premier League’s best.

It will take time, as he starts the save as a 16-year-old, but a mix of reserve football and loans should see the winger blossom.

Alex Iwobi

Already a key member of the first team squad, Iwobi is obviously one of the standout members of Arsenal’s squad.

Unless severe injuries stunt his growth, the Nigerian becomes a very useful versatile attacking player. Should be reach the top end of his potential, Iwobi can become one of the best in the world and I would fully advise keeping him at the club from the off.