Arsenal's to-do list: Four issues Mikel Arteta must solve as trio give boss headache

It's hard to imagine the pressure Mikel Arteta must be feeling heading into full season number six with Arsenal. On the back of three consecutive second-placed finishes, the Gunners haven't wasted any time in the summer transfer window, penning deals for six first-team players so far.

It's been a strong summer up until now, with the Gunners faithful high on optimism that this could turn out to be their year. But even though the new campaign is just over a week away, Arteta still has plenty of tasks to tick off his to-do list and Express Sport picks out four of the most pressing matters.

Complete summer spending with Eberechi Eze coup

The remarkable thing about Arsenal's summer spending is it might not even be over yet. Arteta and co. continue to be linked with a move for Crystal Palace gem Eberechi Eze, even though the forward's £68million release clause has expired. There's talk that Arsenal could cap off a sensational summer by lodging a late bid for the Englishman.

Trim squad with outgoings for fringe players

This summer's transfer deadline day is edging closer and closer, with time running out for Arsenal to cash in on some of their fringe players. Reiss Nelson, on the back of a loan spell last year, is being tipped to be sold before the September 1 deadline. Whereas Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior could also be on the chopping block.

Shape Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman development

The pathway from academy to first-team has been a well-trodden one during Arteta's tenure, with the Spanish coach having ushered in plenty of Hale Enders. Ethan Nwaneri is among the most promising, but given the influx of attacking talent this summer, Arteta will have to work out how best to continue the teenager's development. Similarly, Max Dowman dazzled for Arsenal in pre-season and keeping the 15-year-old's feet on the ground will be crucial this season.

Find Noni Madueke's best position

Is it a depth signing, or can Noni Madueke actually contribute off the left for Arsenal? That's the question fans will be asking heading into the new campaign, after the winger arrived from Chelsea for £50m. The likelihood of him displacing Bukayo Saka remains slim and to avoid the majority of Madueke's time being spent on the bench, he'll have to prove himself worthwhile operating from the left-hand side and given Gabriel Martinelli's patchy form, the 23-year-old will likely be given the chance. Couple the Nwaneri and Dowman conundrum with finding Madueke's best position, and it's clear to see how these three players could give Arteta a headache.