Arsenal have been interested in a move for Francesco Pio Esposito for a long time, and the striker had the chance to join them this summer, but he remained committed to Inter Milan.
The Italians consider him one of the players they simply cannot sell, but that did not discourage Arsenal from continuing to pursue their interest in his signature. The Gunners remained keen on the striker despite Inter’s position.
Arsenal make late approach
The Gunners sold Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli late in the transfer window and were expected to make a push for Esposito, which they did. Arsenal made another attempt to secure the Italian’s signature after it became clear that Julian Alvarez would not join their team.
Inter rejected Arsenal’s approach, according to The Sun. The Italian side had long maintained that Esposito was not for sale, so the late approach received the same response as the Gunners looked to bolster their squad.
Arsenal had hoped to strengthen their attack after losing players in that position, but their pursuit of Esposito ultimately ended without success. Inter’s refusal meant the Gunners were unable to add another forward before the transfer window closed.
Gunners left short in attack
Esposito’s rejection left Arsenal short in attack after the departure of some key players in that role. The Gunners will now hope that none of their current attackers suffers a serious injury before at least the January transfer window, when they could have another opportunity to strengthen.
Arsenal still have a stable group, but they have lost backup attackers while failing to replace them. That could become an issue as the season progresses, particularly if injuries or other absences reduce the options available to Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners will therefore have to rely on their current attacking group for the time being. While Arsenal remain well placed to compete, the failure to replace their departing backup attackers could create difficulties during a long season, especially if their remaining forwards are unavailable.
For now, Esposito remains at Inter Milan, while Arsenal must continue with the attacking options already in their squad. The Gunners will hope those players can remain fit and provide enough depth until they have another opportunity to strengthen their attack.
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I know I’m being pedantic Martin, but The Arsenal didn’t “losing”players, they choose to sell them as you earlier mentioned.
I guess I’m a cantankerous old sod, but the potential sale of Martinelli is still grinding my gears!!
Plus this seems just like the Alvarez saga, where the club ignored both the players and their current clubs and put in a bid just for the sake of it!!
If the other Club clearly does not want to sell AND the player clearly does not want to leave to join Arsenal, either because they are happy at their current club, or they are committed to ONLY joining a specific other Club – Arsenal should leave it alone and move on.
There was no point in pursuing Alvarez once he had made it crystal clear that he wanted Barca and only Barca, and he wasn’t interested in a return to the P L, AND had apparently told M A that he did not want to join Arsenal.
The time and effort was wasted, and it was pretty obvious from the outset that it would be wasted.
Similarly with V J.
Let’s hope that M A and A B have learnt from this.
Otherwise, I think Arsenal had a good Transfer Window.
We may need to be a bit fortunate with Injuries and suspensions up front between now and January, but I still think, as Champions we are the Team To Beat, and these days we are not easily beaten.
Onwards and Upwards.
I’d like to get fellow poster’s thoughts on this. Here’s a list of players out of contract and free agents.
Would you have any of these on a short term contract to lets say January.
Their ages are in brackets.
Benzema (38),
Riyad Mahrez (35),
Phillipe Coutinho (34),
Jadon Sancho (26)
Jamie Vardy (39),
Wilfred Zaha (33),
Anthony Martial (30),
Dele Alli (30),
Jordon Ayew (34),
James Rodriguez (35),
Solly March (32),
now don’t laugh😂, Raheem Sterling (31).
Do any of them float you’re boat. Just curious.
Zaha. Finally!
Haha! I’d do it just to fulfill the dream.
Coutinho is only 34?! Man, that Barcelona transfer feels like a lot longer ago than that.
I would actually give Zaha a second look as a depth option for the left side. He’s still fast.
I’d take any of the following one (or two) of the following:
Jadon Sancho (26)
Wilfred Zaha (33),
Anthony Martial (30),
Dele Alli (30),
Evening Chris S,
I think I agree with you’re 4. But I think I would also add Riyad Mahrez (35), I know he’s predominantly on the right, but I’m sure he could do a job on the left if needed.
And his City links don’t bother me either. 👍
this is sad to read …..we are the Champions Of England
Meh. Liverpool bought a half-crocked Chiesa for depth. Barcelona just bought Gabriel Jesus to replace Lewandowski! Champion-level teams often bring in mature, late career players, not necessarily expecting them to play regularly but because they are still good players and have experience to offer.
Dele Alli, Sancho or Martial I wouldn’t personally touch though.
Dan,
While I hear what you say regards it being sad for the Champions of England.
But with the decision made by the club, I just thought is it worth having a go with one of the one’s I’ve mentioned.
Their free agents and I’m pretty Shaw they’d jump at the chance to play for the current champions, even in the short term.
I think Zaha, if he still has the pace which I assume he does, could be a useful player with his tricks down that left side.
Not ideal I grant you, but as I said with the decision the club have made, free agents are their only option regarding player recruitment currently.
I would take Jadon Sancho, Riyad Mahrez and or, Wilfred Zaha, on a one year contract each, see how it goes from there on….!
Evening Derek,
I had Riyad Mahrez in mind, but I felt at 35 maybe his age might be a drawback.
His City links don’t bother me either, neither do Dele Alli’s Spud’s links.
It’s about time both of them played for a Proper Club for a change…..!!!!
Chris S,
I know Mahrez is 35 but you forget I’m talking a short term deal until January. And if he proved a good addition, it could always be extended to the end of the season.
Why would anyone consider a deal that runs till January of that season? No one is accepting such offer.
Vamos,
You say would anyone consider a deal that runs to January. There’s only one way to find out, and that’s ask the question. They can say yes, they can say no.
Who got hurt in the process. 🤷♂️
Sign them on a 1 year contract – they’ll provide good depth and options until next summers transfer window.
Apparently, Denis Bergkamp was on a 1 year rolling contract, mutually renewed annually, for the last 7 years of his time at arsenal.
Sancho is 26 – Alli is 30.
Arsenal could do the same thing with either one of them, if they were happy to do with it.
They could even sign Sancho on a 3 or 4 Year deal IF M A and A B thought it was worth it.
I’m worried that we’ve sold many of our attacking players and have failed to replace them, particularly on the left wing.
Going forward, I think it’ll be best to do our business very early in identifying which players we want, and actually finding out early too, if those particular players also want Arsenal, and then go for them. Rather than waste precious time chasing after players that aren’t prepared to play for us like we did this past window.
They do identify players early, often years in advance. But they can’t approach players to ask if they’re interested without written permission from their current club.