Arsenal dream XI in 2026/27 – wonderkid replaces £51m star, captaincy stripped, new winger signs

Arsenal dream XI in 2026/27 – wonderkid replaces £51m star, captaincy stripped, new winger signsArsenal are edging towards the Premier League title and have already made it to the Champions League final, and Mikel Arteta's Gunners could be even stronger next seasonCommentsSportopinionKasra Moradi Senior Sports Journalist06:30, 07 May 2026View 6 ImagesArsenal team group photo during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match against Atletico de Madrid(Image: Getty) Arsenal are still riding the high of their monumental victory over Atletico Madrid. A 1-0 home win in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second-leg sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory and confirmed their spot in the tournament's final for the first time since 2006, resulting in one of the most unforgettable nights in the club's history. ‌ It built on the electrifying atmosphere from the 3-0 Premier League victory over Fulham last weekend. Each player's performance, as well as the contribution of the fans, suggest everything is falling into place for Mikel Arteta's side as they look to make history with just four games left across the two biggest competitions. ‌ In the league, three wins from three fixtures would secure their first title since 2004, while Budapest later this month presents a chance to lift a European trophy for the first time in the club's history. ‌ FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page Reflecting on both the high points and areas for improvement throughout an undeniably successful season, Mirror Football now examines how Arteta should line up next season with a fully fit squad and new signings secured. READ MORE: Arsene Wenger defends Arsenal and disagrees with Wayne Rooney's immediate putdownREAD MORE: Arsenal chief Andrea Berta has last laugh over Diego Simeone after confrontation turns heatedGoalkeeper - David RayaThe Spaniard has quietly established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in world football. Raya provides composure when opposing sides apply high pressure and has the ability to distribute accurately whether playing short or launching it long. This season has seen him produce some breathtaking acrobatic saves at pivotal moments on his way to claiming a well-deserved third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award. He continues to be among the first names on the team sheet. ‌ Right-back - Jurrien TimberDespite his fitness issues over the past month or so, nobody should overlook just how exceptional Timber was during the opening half of the season in particular. He remains among the strongest one-vs-one defenders in the squad and was integral to the back-line which went several matches without allowing a shot on target. Fatigue meant his performances dipped slightly after Christmas but the Dutchman is still among the best players in his position in the country. Centre-backs - William Saliba and Gabriel MagalhaesView 6 ImagesWilliam Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are both world class(Image: (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)) Saliba and Gabriel have deservedly cemented their status as the best central defensive partnership in European football in recent years. Saliba goes about his business effortlessly to the point you barely notice his defensive contributions, while Gabriel is the beating heart of the backline, asserting himself with crunching tackles and towering headers. Arsenal will be hoping to keep the duo for many years to come, with only silverware now preventing them from achieving the recognition and adulation that Steve Bould and Tony Adams enjoyed. ‌ Left-back - Riccardo CalafioriThere's a good reason why Arteta persists with the Italian despite his constant injury issues. When fit, Calafiori is a true gem, equally adept as a marauding left-back, a robust centre-half or a technical presence drifting centrally. While Piero Hincapie may offer a slight defensive upgrade, Calafiori's attacking prowess makes him the undisputed first choice on the left flank. Central midfielders - Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-SkellyView 6 ImagesDeclan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly perfectly complement each other(Image: Getty) Arsenal's midfield balance has looked off for much of the season. As the campaign has worn on, it has become evident that, for all of his defensive qualities, £51m summer arrival Martin Zubimendi is not the No. 6 many expected. The Spaniard thrives when breaking up attacks all over the pitch or ghosting into the opposition box unmarked - he is not Arsenal's answer to Rodri in terms of controlling the game's tempo or threading passes through the lines. ‌ For that reason, partnering him with Rice, who possesses an incredible engine and is secure on the ball, but doesn't look to play penetrative balls either, left the Gunners frequently short of invention in the middle of the park this season. However, Arteta across the last two fixtures appears to have recognised the need for somebody capable of delivering more progressive passes and more confidence in taking on opposition midfielders. That someone is Lewis-Skelly, who was thrown into the deep end against both Fulham and Atletico, playing his first senior minutes in midfield in two of the most high pressure games of the season, only to receive an ovation for his masterful displays. No. 10 - Eberechi EzeEze's game-changing qualities have become clearer throughout the season. He has added more tenacity to his game in the press to go alongside his ability to glide past defenders. That makes him invaluable to the Arsenal side, considering he is one of the only players capable of dribbling through low-blocks and generating overloads. Eze's natural instinct for finding the net is another enormously valuable asset, as he has illustrated in pivotal moments this season. View 6 ImagesMartin Odegaard should no longer be a nailed on starter for Arsenal(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images) ‌ Given Eze's inclusion would necessitate dropping the struggling Martin Odegaard to the substitutes' bench, Arsenal would need to appoint a new captain. Saka currently serves as vice-captain, but Rice has stepped up in his absence this season to lead the side both on and off the field at crucial moments. It only makes sense therefore to hand the midfield dynamo the permanent captaincy going forward. Right-wing - Bukayo SakaSaka's performances may not have reached the heights everyone expected this season, but the Arsenal fan-favourite has shown exactly how effective he is when fully fit in recent games. An Achilles problem continues to frustrate the winger, meaning his game time must be carefully managed moving forward. Still, he remains one of the best in the business in terms of his decision-making, nearly always delivering the right pass or choosing the perfect moment to embarrass his marker. View 6 ImagesViktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka are developing chemistry(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) ‌ Striker - Viktor GyokeresThe conversation around Gyokeres has rumbled on throughout the season. There's little question that his hold-up play and technical abilities have fallen short of expectations at times. However, in recent weeks, everything appears to have clicked for the Swede, who is now performing like the No. 9 the Arsenal supporters had been demanding for years. His display against Atletico was undoubtedly his finest in an Arsenal shirt. Gyokeres ran the channels, pressed opponents and combined with his team-mates, becoming a menace to defenders along with his formidable shooting power. Naturally, there are still games where Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino's technical skills make them the superior choices. But in terms of a week-in week-out striker, Gyokeres deserves to be in the starting line-up more often than not going forward. Left-wing - Bradley BarcolaView 6 ImagesBradley Barcola is the missing ingredient to take Arsenal to the next level(Image: Getty Images) Article continues belowThe one area where Arsenal can clearly strengthen this summer is the left wing. Gabriel Martinelli has delivered vital goals in the Champions League, while Leandro Trossard has shown glimpses of good form throughout the season. Yet neither player is a truly world-class option. Arsenal need a winger who has Martinelli's blistering pace but also possesses Trossard's technical skill. Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain, valued at around £60million by Transfermarkt, is therefore the most fitting candidate available. The Frenchman is devastating on the counter-attack but can also unlock low blocks, boasting fluid dribbling and superb movement off the ball. He is reportedly open to a summer transfer given Luis Enrique's preference for other wide options, and Arsenal should pull out all the stops to bring him to N5. Barcola's inconsistent minutes have hampered his form this season but his true quality was obvious last term, when he notched 44 goal contributions in 64 appearances. Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more£44SkyGet the deal hereProduct DescriptionSky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.