This is the most important transfer window of Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal. Though there are some questions regarding some signings, such as Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga, Arsenal’s transfer activity has been largely successful in recent years.
Swoops like Oleksander Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, and Declan Rice have elevated this Mikel Arteta Arsenal to a new level, but it’s now time for them to showcase their recruitment prowess once more. There’s been a lot of discussion about Arsenal’s needs, but here’s my perspective on what they should prioritise and who they should target. Arsenal’s primary priorities should be offensive midfield and attacking.
The defence is capable as it is, featuring Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, and Ben White. Rotating the four across the defence should ensure Arsenal always has a block-solid defence. Of course, I’m not advocating that Arsenal should forego a defensive swoop, but they shouldn’t rush defensive additions; they should only sign when the ideal player becomes available.
The attack and midfield:
Let’s agree on one thing before discussing the need to strengthen these positions. Arsenal has got to the point where they are obsessed with controlling games, which is OK because it often results in comfortable victories. However, there are instances where controlling the game is difficult; teams may opt to go toe to toe with you, and even if you dominate the game, at times you may fail to capitalize because you lack game deciders. The match against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena demonstrated that, for sure, Arsenal dominated that game but lost 1-0.
Even if you can control a game, you need killers in attack to win it. Arsenal require a clinical striker who, when given the opportunity, will score. Havertz has done well, but let’s not be sentimental; if Arsenal can get a top goal-scoring striker like Viktor Gyokeres (43 goals in 50 games for Sporting CP) and he can join and hit the ground running, they don’t need to think about anything else; all they need to do is get him on board.
It appears fairly inevitable that Arsenal will sign a 6 or an 8 this summer. Arsenal should hunt for an aggressive midfielder with an impossible-to-press profile, similar to Manchester City’s De Bruyne, Kovačić, and Bernardo. These guys are invaluable for their ability to dribble securely. Arteta’s engine room needs a player with more power in transition, greater directness versus low blocks, and the ability to press from the front. Because such a player is so attack-minded, Odegaard may need to be more defensive-focused.
According to recent reports, Arsenal are looking to sign a player who can unlock tight defences, and I believe PSG’s Xavi Simons is the right candidate. If not for Simons, I would be delighted if Arsenal could try the impossible: acquire Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich.
Ultimately, Edu and Arteta need to inject this team with quality this summer; we should expect some marquee signings, and that’s what’s fascinating about this summer transfer window.
Jack Anderson
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Viktor Gyokeres might be out of our price range. I have seen quotes for north of £100 for him and I don’t see us pay anywhere near that type of money for a striker.
Recently there are more rumours about Douglas Luiz for midfield which, for supposedly around £50 mill, would be a good signing for midfield IMO.
Agree about signing Douglas Luiz, a very talented and versatile player with PL experience. He would take our midfield to the next level along with Rice and Odegaard.
I just care more about us getting in a replacement for both Partey and Jorginho.
I am not too worried about a striker as we have enough goal scorers in the team. Havertz, Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard, Trossard need to be a bit more clinical once again. Jesus I am lost with him now. He has got to start thinking about taking on more shots than playing trickery but bland end product type of football..
In my opinion we need to get a replacement for Partey this summer and then rest will be just icing on top of the cake.
Musiala, WIRTZ or Olise. Or all three!
@daveg
Chelsea just agreed terms with Olise. Just sayin…
Luiz joining juve so that’s another one ticked off
what, but Juve don’t have that sort of money, or clearly they do
where are reading that?
bad day for Arsenal!
They’re selling Mckennie and Iling-Junior to Villa, so probably won’t have to splash out a lot for Luiz.
It’s to meet their PSR requirements (more made up dribble to Fck the smaller teams over )
So selling abroad makes sense for Villa
Sky sports ,they are in advanced talks
It would be nice to have an explosive, skillful and game changing kind of player apart from saka. The current team has been impressive but it would not hurt to infuse this team with an attacking spine that can rival that of real Madrid. Our midfield is not that far off, a little tweak here and there and we’re good
Sell first, I do not want the club to settle for second choices just because they are lower price. Sell to figure out how much we have to invest.
Raya is 30m of this year’s budget already.
Priority sell : Aaron Ramsdale, Tevares, Tierney, Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson
If good offer comes, sell to upgrade : Zinchenko, Kiwior, Partey, Tomiyasu, Vieira, ESR
Promote : Patino, Nwaneri, Cuffy
I would never sell Kiwier and Tomiyasu, both excellent and commited players.
If arsenal can sell the likes of nketiah, nelson, smith rowe, veira and partey. I will then be happy if we can buy players like solanke, mitoma, bakayoko, brahim diaz and zubimendi.
Zubimendi yes but no thank you to Solanke. He had a good season last year but would not suit our style of football at all. Mitoma is a decent player but much overhyped and not even close to being as good as Martinelli, so I don’t see any point in pursuing him either. Don’t know much about the other two but given the others you suggested I won’t get too excited.
I think the price for Gyokeres is set very high considering he has hit form only in the Portuguese league and the EPL is a totally different cup of tea. Xavi Simons will in no doubt be an excellent signing. Also, I do think we need a LB to rotate with timber who will be coming back off a major surgery.
i don’t worry about engine room as u say arteta is on the must deliver situation now if he mistake in his transfer he will pay the price nobody can’t sympathize with him zirkeee or Ferguson are the same level as nkietah and jesus if arsenal want to win trophy they must pay for oshimien or gyokers look out rivals how they spend hefty on strikere man u 72m Chelsea so many time pays 80 90m and Liverpool pays for nunez 85 even Newcastle pay more isak but arsenal as report they want young striker with affordable money this method not working at big clubs if arteta decide to sign zirkzee the result will be disaster
the evidence you roll out to support big money spend on strikers are interesting choices
Man U – £72m – Holjund – flop
Liverpool – £85m – Nunez – flop
Chelsea – £80m to £90m – enough said
the only half decent striker you name is Isak who has won precisely zero trophies with Newcastle
where I do agree with you is I am not convinced Zirkzee is the answer
Get a discipline and strong dmc like Martin Zubimendi or Yousseff Fofana or Onana. Joao Neves would be a good signing too if not too expensive. Retain Partey until his contract expires. Not really worth to sell him. Hopefully he’ll overcome his injury issues for next season. Just need a backup forward to cover all fronts line as our forwards are still one of the best in the league. My choice would be Semih Kilicsoy. Young, very dynamic, ambidextrous, explosive and look like having a massive potential. And of course promote Mika Biereth to the squad. His style would suits the team well and a very underrated player with great mentality and attitude. Should give him a chance. Just my opinion..