Stepping into Arsene Wenger’s shoes as your first Football Manager 17 save?

You could have easier tasks, let’s just say that. Wenger is one of the icons of English football, having kept the club on a level path for over two decades, he has, by all accounts, written himself into the history of European football.

Arsenal will start your save expecting you to lift the title and compete in Europe. You have a good squad to work with, although balancing the midfield could be a challenge. Options are not an issue, but – as usual with Arsenal – the main aim must be to avoid the sort of injury crises that have blighted recent years at the Emirates.

So, you’re at the helm of a ship that has seldom been onto choppy waters, a ship that sails comfortably alongside the best, shiniest ships. Your task now is to take Arsenal to the next level and build a dynasty of your own.

Buying young is always a nice start for a dynasty, so these five are probably a good way to kick-off your save.

Reece Oxford

Grappling Oxford away from West Ham could be a challenge admittedly, but the youngster is worth the turmoil.

His stats at the start of your save won’t stand out to you and perhaps will make you think twice about a potential signing. Defensively, though, he becomes extremely solid and his versatility means he can become a key player anywhere in the defensive spine.

Ruben Duarte

Defensive cover can be an issue at Arsenal and Ruben Duarte represents a talented young player who can step in as a backup option even from the summer of 2016.

Limited offensively, opting to mould Duarte as a centre-back rather than a left-back is probably the best course of action.

However, his versatility makes him a great squad member.

Facundo Colidio

At only 16, Colidio is a signing for those planning to take their save deep into the 2020s.

Loans are the best way to develop Colidio until he is at least 19, when – should things go according to plan – he will be ready to take up a place in the Arsenal squad.

Thomas Lemar

Thomas Lemar is the latest starlet in an immensely talented generation of young French footballers. The Monaco attacking midfielder can play pretty much wherever you want him to, should you sign him at the start of your save.

Arsenal might not be short of players in the final third, but Lemar will be a significantly better player than Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before you know it.

Far from the finished article, the sky is the limit for Lemar. There aren’t many better signings on FM17.

Ruben Neves

Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin have their limitations as defensive midfielders and Mohamed Elneny is best when given the freedom to press up the pitch, so a defensive midfielder could still be a target at Arsenal.

Ceilings don’t get much higher than Neves’. Having already proven his talents in the Champions League, the Portuguese midfielder can play either as a defensive midfielder or a more advanced central player on Football Manager and has a well-rounded game that will tempt any manager.

His mental stats are the real standout for a player of his age and Neves, despite an enormous fee demanded by Porto, is a must-sign.