Arsenal need Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice transfer ambition to reach Manchester City goal

 Arsenal need to upgrade their midfield in future transfer windows with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice the level required

Arsenal have ambitions not only to qualify for the Champions League but to take their side back to the top. Mikel Arteta sits top of the Premier League thanks to the Gunners picking up five wins out of six.

However, the likelihood is that Arsenal will be fighting with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United for the fourth spot come the end of the season. To give themselves the best possible chance, I suggested that Arteta must find his version of a Fabinho and Rodri so that like both Liverpool and Manchester City, the club has that world-class midfield to anchor their side’s middle third.

Finding who that player could be though is the challenge. Here for football.london I suggest a number of options who could become an equivalent star for the club, although the challenge to secure such a player is no easy feat.

Jude Bellingham

The big name of the bunch but certainly what would be perceived as potentially the most unrealistic. Earmarked for a Liverpool transfer almost since his arrival in Germany, Jude Bellingham has fulfilled expectation and should be a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England side too.

His position for this conversation is the sticking point, however. The 19-year-old is not a No. 6 in its purest form but similar to Thomas Partey, whilst being more naturally a central midfielder, his potential in the deeper role is certainly worth the investment.

Declan Rice

If not for Bellingham, then Declan Rice would certainly be a shoo-in for the most unrealistic target on the list. Yet, if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League, arguably Mikel Arteta should be putting the club in the conversation for the biggest names in the sport.

Rice is a top-quality international level player who would slot into Arsenal’s No. 6 role comfortably. The biggest obstacle is likely to be Chelsea, who have been long-term admirers of Rice and would surely be financially capable of battling it out with their London rivals.