Arsenal and Liverpool will renew one of the Premier League’s greatest rivalries as the pair meet each other at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night.

The Gunners are in search of their first three points on home soil following their shock 2-0 defeat against West Ham.

Arsene Wenger’s side bounced back from that loss to win impressively at Crystal Palace and the Gunners will be hoping that they can start a winning run when Liverpool visit, a side they beat 4-1 at home last season.

However, Brendan Rodgers’ side have changed a lot since then and perhaps, most importantly, they have tightened things up at the back.

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They go into the game off the back of two consecutive 1-0 victories over Stoke and Bournemouth respectively. The wins weren’t exactly scintillating, but that bother Reds fans too much as the table reads six points from a possible six.

However, the visit to the Emirates is certainly the Reds’ toughest test so far, and they will be hoping to get their first win at Arsenal since 2011.

But what chance do Rodgers’ Reds have at getting a win tonight? Well if the bookies are anything to go by then there isn’t much of a chance, with the Gunners fancied as heavy favourites.

Perhaps this isn’t helped by the fact that Liverpool could have to make do without their influential captain Jordan Henderson, who has a foot injury and has been playing with pain killing injections recently.

His loss will hurt Liverpool and considering Arsenal have lost just one of their last seven games against Liverpool, a player of his influence not on the field will make a huge difference to the Reds side.

When you look at how Liverpool could win tonight you would have to say that it is probably best for Rodgers to admit that his side is not as good as Arsenal and they aren’t going to play them off the park; if they were to go toe-to-toe, it would be an exciting game but ultimately you would have to say that one result is likely, and that is an Arsenal win.

Liverpool’s best chance of getting the three points is keeping the same side that beat Bournemouth, with maybe only one change, which would be Emre Can coming in for Henderson.

Keeping the same defence is crucial, as clearly they have formed a solid unit so far and have looked very tight in the two games they have played; those two clean sheets should mean they pick themselves really.

Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, and Jordon Ibe will fill the attacking positions behind Christian Benteke, providing support for the big Belgian in the search for goals.

The side should be that and the tactics are simple, too. They will have to play fairly similarly to how West Ham did when they got a win there, and that is to set up fairly defensively and invite the Gunners on to them. They will need to be compact and allow Arsenal no spaces in front of the back four, where they are most dangerous, and they will need to force Wenger’s men out wide and force hopeful crosses in to the box, which Lovren and Skrtel should deal with.

From there they can be set up to counter attack through the pace and skill of Ibe, Coutinho, Lallana and Benteke. They should also make sure plenty of early crosses come in for Benteke, who can take advantage of Arsenal’s weakness at defending headers.

Indeed, Benteke will have a big role to play, Liverpool should also target set pieces as source of goals. They need to ensure they deliver well and put Wenger’s side under pressure whenever possible.

If they can maintain a counter attack, deliver quality into the box and keep it tight at the back there is every chance that Liverpool could get a result tonight – and perhaps even the win.

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With Chelsea all but out of the title race already, Arsenal v Manchester United today was perhaps the first big, early title clash of the season. Despite Arsenal’s blistering start to the game that they went on to win at a canter, this won’t tell us if either side can win the league, but it does show us some important things about two contenders who didn’t make the grade last season.

Manchester Untied came into this game trying to wrestle back top spot from Manchester City but ended up losing another spot and sliding down to third as they were humbled by Arsenal.

In the end, Manchester United were blown away and couldn’t get into the game afterwards. It was over after 20 minutes. We don’t know who will win the league, but we have had some questions answered

Arsenal are back in the big time

For years of talking about being title candidates, Arsenal always came up short on the big occasion. Heavy defeats away to title rivals were a regular thing – losing big against Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United over the years – but they seem to be a thing of the past. Last January, Arsenal stifled Manchester City at the Etihad and now they’ve beaten Manchester United by simply blowing them to smithereens – it was reminiscent of how they dispatched of Liverpool in April. The blip was the defeat against Chelsea, but with only nine men on the pitch, it would’ve taken an almighty effort to win that game.

Arsenal are back!

When arsenal are good, they’re very very good

You wouldn’t know it from their Champions League performances, but Arsenal are a very good team. They hit five away at Leicester last week, and Alexis Sanchez once again proved that he’s back to form by scoring twice today after his hat trick last weekend.

They were devastating on the break, and they’d have fancied beating anyone today.

United’s money hasn’t stopped them from being short-handed

In a big clash away to one of your title rivals, the last thing you want is to be forced to play two attacking midfielders at full back. After all the money United have spent since Louis Van Gaal was appointed as manager, United are still short at the back, and they looked short in the midfield today, too. With Carrick and Schweinsteiger chasing shadows for the entirety of the first half, Arsenal found it too easy.

Surely they can’t think they can win the league with their midfield playing like that?

The magic of the FA Cup spread to Salford City last weekend, in doing so it caught the attention of Manchester United fans who enjoyed watching members of the Class of ’92 celebrate their pet hobby’s success.In a remarkable blurring of the lines, Salford were painted as tiny minnows enjoying a rare treat. Their billionaire owner Peter Lim, or the five former Manchester United players that have ploughed resources into the club, obviously played no part.The whole adventure has been turned into some idyllic affair. It’s good to highlight the pros of non-league football in a time when vast numbers of supporters from top flight clubs feel disenfranchised. But if people want a genuine experience they should travel a little further to places like Stockport County. Salford City is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.If we rewind a little it’s clear to see the hypocrisy of the Manchester United fans that celebrated with their heroes this weekend. The club has got there using money that isn’t self-generated, breaking the league’s wage structure, with foreign investment that could get bored and leave at any time. That description isn’t one this writer has just aimed at Salford, it’s what United fans applied to Manchester City following their takeover from Sheikh Mansour and the subsequent rise up the league.It’s been seen as a diabolical act, one that is ruining football. How dare Manchester City invest to better themselves and catch the more successful sides. However, it’s been a thing of beauty watching the Class of ’92 dipping their hands into their pockets to prop up Salford City.It’s perfectly acceptable – normal, even – to expect them to throw cash at the non-league league problem and progress through the tiers. As United fans are pointing out: You need to invest to better the club. But it’s only okay if Manchester City aren’t the ones doing the bettering.“Foreign owners will not be mindful of tradition or club values.†That was another gem thrown at Man City fans. There’s yet to be any evidence supporting the statement regarding City’s owners and a whole stack that instantly disproves it. The new owners at the Etihad have dealt with all matters that could offend with excellent diplomacy and delicacy.

There’s no need to bring in outsiders from elsewhere if removing tradition is your thing. The Class of ’92, lads from down the road managed to change the badge and the club’s colours. It’s was outrage when Cardiff City fans experienced the same treatment, it’s part of the romance when the Manchester United connection does it without consultation.

It’s inevitable Salford City will continue to climb the leagues. The same thing happened with AFC Wimbledon. When semi-professional outfits are ran like full-time clubs it’s just a matter of time until they become fully fledged pros. There’s no issue with this. Ambition is a good thing and to aim high you have be better than what’s above you.

Salford City are beginning to see the reward for their endeavours. The problem is their ambition has been given human form and idolised in the guise of Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. The same people that revere Salford’s efforts chastise other clubs when they dare dream big, and then achieve using similar means.

So the next time you feel like taking a shot at Manchester City for daring to invest in a youth academy or improve the Etihad, remember the Class of ’92 enhanced Moor Lane, set-up a scouting network, another youth team, and altered the infrastructure of how the club was run. This wasn’t with Salford’s money – it was given to them.

Unless Manchester United fans in support of the Salford City project think the Class of ’92 aren’t “doing it the proper way,†it safe to assume we’re all finally in agreement. There is only one way to play catch-up, and it requires outside investment and internal reshaping.

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Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has confirmed that he received an offer from Liverpool earlier in his career, according to reports from Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old has been one of the break-out stars for the Red Devils this season, with the youngster scoring the opening goal in the club’s 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in their previous Premier League fixture.

His recent displays have even earned him a call-up to the England national squad, but Lingard could only make the bench during the Three Lions’ 2-0 win over France on Tuesday.

WANT MORE? >> Manchester United Transfer News | Liverpool Transfer News

However, being part of Roy Hodgson’s squad is seen as an incredible achievement for the former Man United youth star, yet Lingard revealed he could have been part of a different youth setup with Liverpool.

“I was at a local club Penketh United and Mike Glennie, a Manchester United scout, came to watch me,” he said.

“He spoke to my granddad and offered me trials but there was also interest from Liverpool and I had to pick. I was only young but obviously my heart was with United at the time.

“Going through the years, I was with Larnell Cole, Mike and Will Keane, Sam [Johnstone], Ravel [Morrison] and Tunners [Ryan Tunnicliffe].

“There are a lot of lads still doing their thing at other clubs and they’re happy seeing me where I am.

“I’ve won a lot of trophies, like the FA Youth Cup and the Reserves league a couple of times, but it would top it off to win the Premier League with the first team.”

United will travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford in their next league game, with Lingard in contention to start with summer signing Antony Martial picking up an injury while playing for France.

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After Arsenal’s comfortable victory against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, they now face a do-or-die match away at Olympiakos, which they must win in order to progress to the next stage of the Champions League – the knockout stages, which they have been accustomed to reaching yearly in the past under Arsene Wenger.

While many fans will wail and gnash their teeth at the mere thought of another season passing without their side making it to the quarters and semis of this great competition, I wonder if any will consider that the possibility of an early exit might actually boost their chances of domestic glory?

While Arsene Wenger and his players would never be able to suggest this openly, it could well be the case that they feel their chances of winning the Premier League could be significantly increased by being knocked out of Europe’s premier competition.

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We have already seen in these last few weeks that Arsene Wenger does not have the league’s strongest squad at his disposal. With injuries seeming to derail their chances in most competitions every single year, surely one less trophy to worry about would be a good thing?

The fact is that, due to not recruiting in the same way as most of their rivals each summer, Arsenal simply do not have as deep a squad as other title contenders.

This means that when the players regularly have to compete on two fronts every week, injuries and tiredness inevitably follow. Together with Arsenal’s quick, fluid passing style that encourages opponents to stick their foot in, is it any wonder Wenger is constantly bemoaning the crowded Emirates treatment room?

If Arsenal go out of the Champions League, they can pour all their energies into the two competitions they have done the best in over the last few years; the league, and the FA Cup, which they won in 2014 and retained last year.

They will not have to worry about either picking their first team in two matches a week and running the risk of fatiguing them, or playing a mix of first team and players who would otherwise be on the bench and losing anyway. As seen when the Gunners took on Sheffield Wednesday in the Carling Cup (losing 3-0 and seeing Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain injured in the process), these cup competitions can prove costly.

With only one game a week, Wenger can afford to spend that whole week training and getting his players ready for that specific match, which will also mean the team has more time to get ready for whatever that particular opponent will throw at them. Organisation and planning would improve, and no doubt Wenger would also be happy with the chance to spend a serious amount of time getting his team ready for big Premier League games, and not constantly having to give up a day to recovery with players exhausted from midweek exertions.

There is no doubt that going out of the Champions League group stages would hit Wenger and the team hard. It is possibly the world’s most prestigious competition, and Arsenal remain one of the biggest clubs never to have won it. Going out before Christmas would be something Wenger and his players would have to live with for the rest of the season.

However, these blows could yet be offset by the advantages gained – advantages which could see the Gunners maybe even go all the way in the Premier League title race.

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Whether they want to refer it to the dubious goals panel or not, Gareth Barry managed to net his first goal in a couple of years to draw Everton level this afternoon.Twitter was still in turmoil from the disaster between Howard and Stones, but the former Aston Villa midfielder provided an uncharacteristically deft finish to draw his side level.Naturally, plenty of people took this as an opportunity to relay Roberto Martinez’s extraordinary praise of the veteran midfielder.

Plenty of Villa fans were left wondering what could have been with their former star, I guess they need to forget about how the table looks.

The state of disbelief is spread out across the Twittersphere and the former Manchester City man is still producing at the highest level.

He could just be the best ever to have been born in Hastings, mind.

Some people cruelly wanted to take the credit away from the old boy..

He’s getting on a bit, but Barry still seems to split opinion as much as he ever has done.

He scored a back heel and its the most shocking thing in 2016.

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It all looked promising for West Bromwich Albion as veteran centre midfielder Darren Fletcher opened the scoring in the FA Cup fifth round tie at Reading. However, things took a turn for the worse, including after the final whistle had blown.

Former Baggies defender Paul McShane equalised against his former employers, soon after the Baggies had taken the lead, before fellow centre half Michael Hector put the Royals in front and Lucas Piazon secured Reading’s place in the next round with a neat finish in the fourth minute of injury time at the Madjeski.

But that was not the talking point from the game as a kind gesture from West Brom’s Chris Brunt turned sour. As the Northern Ireland international offered his shirt to a fan, he was struck in the face with coin, provoking Brunt’s ire.

Cue the Twitter reaction backing Brunt and absolutely savaging the culprit who threw the coin at the versatile player. This just shows that Football is united.

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Arsenal and Chelsea have both collapsed this season and, whilst Spurs and West Ham have dramatically overachieved, there is a threat of a power shift in the capital.

Chelsea’s championship-winning squad have looked inept throughout this campaign and, whilst Arsenal are likely to finish third, the Gunners have choked once again and have been left curled up in the corner in the shadow of their noisy north London neighbours.

Protests at Arsenal are a reflection of a fan base that is finally sick of the treading water under Arsene Wenger and, although Chelsea have changed managers, there is no guarantee that the Blues will be able to compete with the momentum of West Ham and Tottenham next season.

Football in London is at a delicate place right now, and this summer transfer window may well shape it for the next few years. Slaven Bilic and Mauricio Pochettino are the only two managers who can come close to Claudio Ranieri for Manager of the Season, yet Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho have both ended this season with their respective reputations having been dragged through the gutter. Chelsea have provided the worst title defence in Premier League history and Arsenal have finally lost the bragging rights of their area of the capital, what else do they have to cling on to?

West Ham are moving to one of the most impressive stadiums in Europe, whilst Chelsea may well face difficulty in attracting players to a club that cannot even offer Europa League football next season. The supposedly weaker London pairing – Spurs and West Ham – are challenging the ‘bigger clubs’ head on, and we could be about to watch a true battle for London power over the next couple of seasons. It is in the balance at the moment – it is as delicately poised as the La Liga title race – and another season of mediocrity for Chelsea and Arsenal may finally see the previous Champions League stalwarts lose their place as the owners of London.

The capital is no longer red and blue, it is fading towards white and claret (maybe a bit of West Ham blue) and it is down to the more established clubs to wrestle their way back in to contention.

Although Arsenal will finish comfortably above West Ham this season there is every chance  that the Hammers will be competing for the top four throughout next season. David Gold and David Sullivan are noticeably ambitious, willing to spend money and will be desperate for Bilic to push the club towards the big time.

It might get ugly, it might all fizzle out into the usual order of things, but we could be about to see London rivalry pique at an extraordinary level.

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It may seem like only yesterday the 2015/16 campaign kicked off, considering the sheer velocity of unpredictable chaos in the Premier League this season, but we’re now just seven games away from its ultimate conclusion.

Indeed, there’s not long left until all of the medals are handed out at the end of May, before Premier League clubs enter the summer transfer window and start preparing for the 2016/17 season – which already looks set to be as ridiculous as the current one.

So now seems like as good a time as any to begin reviewing a season that has seen Leicester City launch the most unexpected title bid of all time, Aston Villa produce the most pathetic top flight side in living memory (or since Derby), Arsenal capitulate as usual and money-mad Chelsea nervously flirt with the relegation zone.

Our first point of interest? The signings who have impacted the most since their arrivals during the 2015 summer transfer window. With that in mind, here’s our ‘Signings of the Season XI’.

GOALKEEPER – PETR CECH

Most Premier League clubs stuck with their goalkeeping options last summer so the shortlist for this position was always going to be rather well… short.

Nonetheless, that shouldn’t downplay the influence Petr Cech’s had at Arsenal since signing from Chelsea at the start of the season, injecting calmness and composure into a backline plagued by disorganised chaos during prior campaigns.

£10million remains an absolute steal for a goalkeeper with a record as proven as the Czech international’s – especially in the Premier League – and still just 33 years of age, he’s got plenty of campaigns left ahead of him at the Emirates.

If there’s one disappointment, however, it’s that Cech’s quality and leadership skills haven’t been able to stop yet another Gunners capitulation in the title race.

RIGHT BACK – GLEN JOHNSON

This might be deemed a slightly unfashionable choice, but that’s exactly Glen Johnson has proved such an astute signing on Mark Hughes’ part.

The England international’s stock couldn’t have been lower when he left Liverpool last summer but the Stoke City boss wasted no time in signing an experienced full-back on a free transfer and Johnson’s unquestionably delivered for the Welshman this season.

Indeed, the 31-year-old has bagged three assists in 25 appearances whilst helping the Potters claw their way to eighth in the top flight table – which would constitute their highest ever final standing of the Premier League era if its maintained until the end of May.

CENTRE-BACK – TOBY ALDERWEIRELD

A shoo-in for the PFA Team of the Year and easily one of the signings of the season, regardless of position, the summer arrival of Toby Alderweireld has catalysed Tottenham’s transformation into Premier League title challengers.

His telepathic understanding with former Ajax team-mate and fellow Belgium international Jan Vertonghen has seen Spurs emerge as the most defensively-assured side in the Premier League, conceding the fewest goals of any team in the division.

But the 26-year-old has proven equally effective alongside Kevin Wimmer in recent weeks and impacted significantly at the other end of the pitch, with three goals and two assists from the heart of defence – including a strike in the north London derby.

A class act who combines technical ability, tactical awareness and no-nonsense defending, coughing up £11.5million for the former Atletico defender – despite the threat of legal action from loan club Southampton – has proved a masterstroke on Daniel Levy’s part.

CENTRE-BACK – VIRGIL VAN DIJK

A number of Premier League clubs have flirted with the idea of signing Virgil van Dijk in recent years but Southampton actually took the punt last summer and it’s already paying off dividends.

Indeed, the Saints boast the best goals conceded record outside of the Premier League’s top six and much of that can be traced back to the Netherlands international, who combines an aerially dominant 6 foot 4 frame with sensational technical quality on the deck.

The 24-year-old has averaged the most successful aerial duels per match of any Premier League defender this term, 5.1, whilst netting three times at the other end of the pitch – including a last-minute equaliser against Sunderland earlier this month.

Whoscored.com have issued him seven Man of the Match awards this term. On Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez has more.

CENTRE-BACK – CHRISTIAN FUCHS

Nathan Ake’s loan stint at Watford deserves an honourable mention but few left backs in the Premier League – let alone new signings – have matched the form of Leicester City’s Christian Fuchs.

An acquisition that slipped somewhat below the radar last summer, the Austrian international arrived from FC Schalke on a free transfer and has consistently demonstrated his Champions League pedigree at the King Power Stadium, bagging three assists in 25 appearances whilst averaging 3.3 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1.1 created chances per match.

That experience at top European level has proved vital amid the business end of the Foxes’ shock Premier League title bid and the combination with winger Marc Albrighton has become a recurring feature of Leicester’s attacking play.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – ETIENNE CAPOUE

Many deemed Etienne Capoue below the standard of the Premier League whilst wallowing on the bench at Tottenham Hotspur but he’s been a revelation for Watford this season, missing just 91 minutes of their top-half contending campaign.

The industrious midfielder has provided forward-thinking drive from the middle of the park, supporting strike force Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo whenever possible, whilst protecting the Hornets backline with averages of 2.9 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per match.

Many raised their eyebrows when Watford coughed up a club-record £6.3million fee for the Frenchman last summer but with their Premier League survival all-but-mathematically secured, that now seems like a very astute investment.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – N’GOLO KANTE

Amongst the contenders for PFA Player of the Year, N’Golo Kante is easily the best pound-for-pound purchase of summer 2015, costing the title-chasing Foxes just £5.6million from Ligue 1 outfit Caen.

The France international has since emerged as arguably the top enforcer in the Premier League, combining the defensive awareness of Claude Makelele and the energy of Ramires to complete 4.4 tackles and 4.2 interceptions per match – ranking second on both fronts throughout the division.

But the drive and ranged passing Kante offers on the counter attack equally catches the eye, especially in a two-man midfield alongside Danny Drinkwater, and has been an intrinsic influence on Leicester’s attacking efforts this term.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – DELE ALLI

Technically, Tottenham Hotspur signed Dele Alli in January 2015 rather than last summer, allowing him to spend the remainder of last season on loan at former club MK Dons. But we’re prepared to make an exception, simply because few Premier League arrivals have come anywhere close to matching the 19-year-old’s impact this season.

Indeed, the teenager has emerged from the relative anonymity of League One to become amongst the first names on the Spurs team sheet and a crucial component in Roy Hodgson’s plans ahead of the European Championships in France.

He’s bagged seven goals and nine assists in 24 Premier League starts this term, proving equally effective as a No.10, a deep-lying midfielder and a winger for Spurs, and has been at the heart of impressive England performances against France and Germany.

Considering many expect Alli to now start for England at the Euros, it’s phenomenal to think he was playing in the English third tier this time last year – and that Spurs snapped him up for just £5million!

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – DIMITRI PAYET

Another PFA Player of the Year contender, it’s taken just a matter of months for Dimitri Payet to reach godly status in east London, echoing the same levels of worship once reserved for Paolo Di Canio.

The West Ham fan base are a tough bunch to please but they do appreciate good football and that’s what the playmaking Frenchman offers, combining majestic movement, technical brilliance, creative vision and impressive output from the attacking hub of midfield.

Indeed, he’s claimed eight goals and eight assists in 22 Premier League outings this term whilst averaging 3.7 created chances per match – the second most of any player in the division after Arsenal star Mesut Ozil.

If the Hammers finish in the top six this season as expected, that impressive final standing will owe much to the man from Marseille, who is believed to have cost the club just £12million.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD – ROBERTO FIRMINO

Roberto Firmino endured a tricky start to life at Liverpool but has rediscovered his fine form for Hoffenheim since Jurgen Klopp took the managerial reins from Brendan Rodgers in October, going on to claim eight goals and seven assists in 25 Premier League appearances.

The Brazilian international has found output as a wideman, a No.10 and a striker – offering the mobility and energy Christian Benteke is often accused of lacking – and provided significant performances in the Reds’ biggest results of the campaign, scoring or assisting (or both) against Chelsea, Manchester City, Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester United.

The 24-year-old perhaps hasn’t fully justified his £29million price-tag just yet but he looks like a high-quality player who’ll be heavily involved in Klopp’s plans for next season – when his talent could truly shine.

STRIKER – ANTHONY MARTIAL

Perhaps Anthony Martial hasn’t set the world on fire since moving to Old Trafford in an incredible £36million deal last summer, going on to claim a decent if unspectacular seven goals and three assists in 24 Premier League appearances.

But he’s still United’s second-top scorer across all competitions with twelve strikes and their third-top assister in the Premier League, and it’s the maturity the 20-year-old has demonstrated in holding down a role of such responsibility in the Red Devils’ starting Xi – despite that monolithic price-tag hanging over him and the constant upheaval at Old Trafford this season – that we’ve found the most impressive.

It’s rare to find such a composed head on young shoulders and although he’s not quite lived up to that £36million valuation just yet, the France international already seems like a worthwhile long-term investment, on track to become one of the best attackers in the business.

It has been a heartbreaking end to the season for Tottenham Hotspur.

This time last month, following a 3-0 win over Manchester United, many were tipping the Lilywhites for the Premier League title.

Now, however, they’ve not only suffered the humiliation of being eliminated from the title race at the hands of London rivals Chelsea, but also finishing behind bitter foes Arsenal for the 21st consecutive season.

Nonetheless, the future remains incredibly bright at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino boasts a young, hardworking and extremely talented squad and the north Londoners are now preparing for a 2016/17 campaign in the Champions League.

So in a bid to turn a few frowns upside down around N17, FootballFanCast are trying to make Spurs fans dream again by drawing up a ‘dream XI’ for next season – combining the club’s top transfer targets and their best performers from the 2015/16 campaign.

Would this XI improve upon the current Spurs first team? Let us know by commenting below!

GOALKEEPER – HUGO LLORIS

Rather than searching for a new No.1, Tottenham Hotspur will likely spend the summer transfer window batting off interest in Hugo Lloris. The shot-stopping skipper has enjoyed another strong campaign between the White Hart Lane sticks, notching up 13 clean sheets in 37 outings, and is never far from a mention in PSG, Manchester United or Real Madrid’s rumour columns.

RIGHT-BACK – ALESSANDRO FLORENZI

Being coveted by Barcelona and nominated for a Puskas award is about as dreamy as it can get for a right-back, as is the case with Tottenham Hotspur target Alessandro Florenzi. The Roma star is famed for his versatility, technique and tenacity and was linked with a White Hart Lane switch back in November. Aged 25, the coming summer is undoubtedly the right time to buy – but rumour has it the Italy international wants to become a one-club man at the Stadio Olimpico.

CENTRE-BACK – TOBY ALDERWEIRELD

A strong candidate for signing of the 2015/16 season, improving Spurs’ defensively to an exponential level since arriving from Southampton by way of Atletico Madrid, Toby Alderweireld is another the White Hart Lane outfit will have to keep at arm’s length from potential suitors this summer.

CENTRE-BACK – SAMUEL UMTITI

I’m sure Jan Vertonghen will continue to partner Toby Alderweireld on a regular basis next season but the Lilywhites need somebody pushing the Belgian duo at the heart of their defence. That could be rumoured target Samuel Umtiti, whose superlative form for Lyon has seen him emerge as one of the top youngsters in Ligue 1. He’s physical, quick, competent on the ball and can slot in at left-back – but at 5 foot 11 is a little short for a centre-half.

LEFT-BACK – DANNY ROSE

Danny Rose may not be the greatest left-back the world has ever witnessed but he’s been fantastic for the Lilywhites this season, making the marauding full-back role his own by combining relentless energy with attacking vigour. Backed up by Ben Davies, it seems unlikely Spurs will be looking to overhaul their options at No.3 this summer.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD – YOURI TIELEMANS

Long-term target Victor Wanyama is another strong candidate for this position but considering the Lilywhites’ preference for potential, we’re suggesting Youri Tielemans. The midfielder is just 19 years of age but already boasts 123 first-team appearances for Anderlecht, winning two Young Footballer of the Year awards in the Jupiler League. An athletic playmaker, he’s likely to set Spurs back around £24million.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – SAUL NIGUEZ

Spurs were linked with Saul Niguez last week and although he may be a 21-year-old still learning his trade, the Atletico Madrid star could be quite the coup for the Lilywhites. The Spaniard has really shown his potential amid Atletico’s march to the Champions League final, laying on a stunning assist and an incredible solo goal against Barcelona in the semi-final. Famed for his energy and versatility, featuring in a plethora of positions from centre-back to winger this term, he suits the Pochettino philosophy perfectly. Acquiring him this summer however, will require activating a £36million release clause.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD – DELE ALLI

Dele Alli’s importance to the Tottenham cause has been evident enough during his recent suspension, with the Lilywhites picking up just one point, throwing away the Premier League title and slumping to third in the England international’s absence. There will be interest in the midfielder this summer but still aged just 20, admirers will be willing to wait at least another season.

RIGHT WING – RIYAD MAHREZ

Who else but Riyad? Few attackers in Europe have surpassed the Algerian international’s form this season, notching up 17 goals and eleven assists to claim the PFA Player of the Year award and fire Leicester City to the Premier League title. It has been widely suggested he could leave the King Power Stadium this summer and Spurs are one of the clubs in the mix for his signature – even emerging as the bookies’ favourite in April.

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LEFT WING – MICHY BATSHUAYI

Striker Michy Batshuayi is filling in on the left wing for this dream Xi – a position he may have to settle for if he wants to work in tandem with Harry Kane on a regular basis. The Belgium international has been in scintillating form this term, registering 17 goals and nine assists in 36 Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille, and at 22 years of age is blessed with enormous potential. It has already been confirmed he’ll leave Stade Velodrome this summer but Tottenham’s biggest competition for Batshuayi’s signature comes from London rivals West Ham.

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STRIKER – HARRY KANE

One of their own and the Premier League’s top scorer for 2015/16, netting 25 times in 38 games, Harry Kane’s importance to the Tottenham cause only continues to grow amid his emergence as one of Europe’s leading strikers. Inevitably, there will be interest in the 22-year-old this summer, with long-term admirers Manchester United likely to be linked again. But talks over an improved contract should keep him at White Hart Lane for at least another season.

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