Arsenal's dream starting XI after deadline day if Andrea Berta secures £167m deals

Julian Alvarez continues to be linked with Arsenal on deadline day(Image: Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta could field the strongest Arsenal starting lineup of his tenure if Andrea Berta can work his magic on deadline day...

Speaking to reporters at Villa Park on Monday night, following the 1-0 win over Unai Emery's side, the Gunners boss provided an update on plans to further bolster the squad. Arteta said: "As I said, we’re trying to improve the squad.

"Until tomorrow night, we’re going to try to do that. I’ve been disconnected from the world for 24 hours because I think my energy probably has to be on the match, but I will get back on it now."

Arteta added: "It depends if everybody’s fit or not. We can talk about today, but it might change. We knew that if we had an injury on the backline with Jurrien [Timber] out, we'd be in big trouble - so we had to do Ezri [Konsa].

READ MORE: Follow our live updates on transfer deadline day as Arsenal explore incomings and outgoings!

"Today, [Cristhian] Mosquera could not continue, so we know the depth has to be really big when we’re fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play as well - so we’re going to try to do that."

So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what the Arsenal starting lineup could be once the transfer window slams shut.

In an ideal world, Arsenal manage to prise Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid in the final hours of the transfer window. The 26-year-old would be a superb addition at the Emirates Stadium, finally arming Arteta with the world-class striker he needs to not only win the Champions League but also establish a domestic dynasty.

Alvarez would, of course, displace Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, but the great competition for minutes could be exactly what the Gunners duo need to reach the next level. The Argentina international also enjoyed spells as a support striker, or false nine if you will, at Manchester City, so he could always drop deeper, although at the expense of Martin Odegaard.

Julian Alvarez in Atletico Madrid training

Berta still needs to sign a new left-winger before the transfer window slams shut, having previously missed out on the chance to sign Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid. With Liverpool snapping up Bradley Barcola, Manchester City getting Iliman Ndiaye, and Sunderland securing the signature of Malick Fofana, the Arsenal sporting director has slim pickings.

Beggars can't be choosers, so the Gunners have two options: either bide time and wait for a market opportunity or go out swinging and break the bank for a marquee player. Berta would certainly prove his doubters wrong if he were to put his neck on the line and table a potentially record-breaking bid for Kenan Yildiz at Juventus.

Otherwise, the Gunners will have to scramble and settle for a mediocre addition at best, leaving Arteta short on firepower. The Arsenal boss would, of course, survive with Eberechi Eze on the left, but then he wouldn't have as much cover for the skipper.

Kenan Yildiz has been thinly linked with Arsenal.(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Arteta could field the strongest starting lineup of his Arsenal tenure if Berta makes some long-overdue additions to the squad. The Gunners will need to tread carefully, though, as the rival clubs will be aware that they're desperate to buy.

According to Transfermarkt, Alvarez and Yildiz are currently valued at €120m (£103m) and €75m (£64m), respectively. Assuming Atletico and Juventus were to demand similar fees, Arsenal must be prepared to fork out at least €195m (£167m)...

The dream Arsenal starting lineup in full: David Raya; Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ezri Konsa, Ben White; Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Odegaard; Kenan Yildiz (from Juventus), Julian Alvarez (from Atletico Madrid), Bukayo Saka.

Jake bumped into Luke Shaw at Nando's on his 14th birthday and told him to join Chelsea. The left-back joined Manchester United a few weeks later. Coincidence? Who knows.

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