Managing Arsenal as Max Dowman and Marli Salmon lead the way in Mikel Arteta's future XI

Arsenal may already be one of Europe's top teams, but Mikel Arteta's side have the potential to get even better thanks to several emerging talents

Arsenal are on the cusp of greatness under Mikel Arteta this season.

The Gunners stand a real chance of winning at least two trophies, having gone almost six years without lifting any silverware. Arteta's men face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday in what is set to be a tantalising affair at Wembley Stadium.

Having beaten Everton last weekend in dramatic fashion, they extended their lead atop the Premier League table after City dropped points against West Ham. Yet, frighteningly, Arsenal have not quite been at their best this season, suggesting there is even more to come next term.

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Given the heights he has taken the club to, Arteta is expected to sign a new contract in the coming months, which would keep him in north London beyond the end of his current deal in 2027. Along with their host of world-class players, several exciting talents are also expected to become first-team stars in the coming years, meaning the Gunners could dominate for years to come.

Now, football.london takes a look at what Arsenal's starting line-up could look like in three years' time with Arteta still at the helm, with a look at changes in tactics and the introduction of new blood.

GK - David Raya

David Raya could win a third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award by the end of this season. The Spaniard is still only 30, meaning three more years of him between the sticks is perfectly feasible as long as he continues to show off his cat-like reflexes and sublime ball-playing ability.

RB - Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber has become one of the standout right-backs in world football this season. The 24-year-old was robbed of his first campaign with Arsenal due to a devastating ACL injury in his very first game in August 2023, but has since become one of the first names on the team sheet. The Dutchman has plenty of room to develop going forward, but is arguably the best defensive full-back in the league, meaning he has a bright future in N5.

CB - Marli Salmon

William Saliba is under contract until 2030, but many expect him to move on to either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain before then, with the Frenchman’s comments last year suggesting he may do so once he feels satisfied with winning trophies at Arsenal.

Replacing the world’s best centre-back is no easy feat, but 16-year-old Marli Salmon is already being touted as Saliba’s successor thanks to his incredible composure on the ball at such a young age. The Hale End sensation has made four appearances this season - a clear sign of how highly his manager thinks of him. By age 19, he could already be sharing minutes with Cristian Mosquera in the starting line-up.

CB - Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel is the heartbeat of the impenetrable Arsenal defence. The Brazilian’s love for throwing his body on the line, his set-piece threat and the fact he doesn’t rely on pace means he is expected to be a crucial player for the Gunners in three years’ time at the age of 31, barring any sudden injury problems.

LB - Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori’s talent is such that, if he stays fit, he will become Arsenal’s best left-back since Ashley Cole. He is still just 23 years old, but Arteta has, in recent times, parted ways with players he deems injury-prone, meaning Piero Hincapie could succeed him if niggles continue to hamper his career.

CDM - Declan Rice

Declan Rice has been Arsenal’s best player this season, with the Englishman’s decision to join Arsenal over City in 2023 now starting to pay off. The imperious midfielder’s current deal runs until 2028, but both he and the club will be eager to extend his deal to at least 2030 if they finally win the title this season.

If he continues in this vein, Rice is sure to be a starter and even a potential captain at the age of 30. In the future, Arsenal could shift towards a less defensive approach, allowing Rice to play as a lone central defensive midfielder.

RAM - Ethan Nwaneri

Ethan Nwaneri has had a difficult season, but the sky is still the limit for the 18-year-old. Many have doubted whether Arteta trusts him, given his lack of minutes this season and being sent out on loan to Marseille in January despite a breakout campaign last year. The midfielder’s talent is undeniable, however, meaning he should succeed Martin Odegaard if he stays patient.

LAM - Bukayo Saka

This role change for Bukayo Saka may come as a surprise to some, given he is regarded as one of the best right-wingers in the world. Yet, Saka’s performances on the right flank this season have noticeably dropped off.

The Gunners’ vice captain appears to have lost some of his explosiveness since his hamstring injury, which makes him less effective at beating two or three markers compared to in previous seasons, while Noni Madueke and Max Dowman are better dribblers. But Saka is an undroppable member of the team and is still world-class when he plays inside, meaning he could enjoy a Ryan Giggs-like renaissance as an attacking midfielder by the time he is 27.

RW - Max Dowman

Dowman, aged just 16, is the biggest talent in English football. His phenomenal balance, astonishing dribbling and rare composure have convinced Arteta to start relying on him in big moments, as he proved against Everton with a crucial cross and his first-ever goal, having been sceptical in the past about playing youngsters too early in their careers.

The Hale End phenomenon has been compared to Ballon d’Or winners Kaka and Lionel Messi thanks to his unique attacking threat and limitless potential. Arsenal will hope their own academy jewel can provide the equivalent of what a £150m-plus signing would bring for years to come.

ST - Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz’s inclusion may raise eyebrows, given he is not a ‘true No.9’. But, since his return from injury this season, fans have been reminded of just how brilliantly the German knits play together while offering a physical threat. Havertz will still be only 29 years old in three years’ time - two years younger than Leandro Trossard is currently.

LW - Kenan Yildiz

The one position Arsenal desperately need to address this summer is the left wing position. Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard are simply not to the level required of a Champions League title-chasing side, and at least one of them is expected to leave come the end of the season.

Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz, with whom Arsenal have been linked over the past year, is the perfect signing to add more flair and a wow-factor in the final third. The Turkey international is 20 years old and one of Europe’s most promising talents.