Riccardo Calafiori is the only new addition to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team, as David Raya was already there, and his permanent contract simply improves his situation at the club. Though a deal for Mikel Merino is likely, Arsenal’s transfer window appears to be a silent one.
I’m not defending the Gunners for not going out and getting deals done, but don’t you think the lack of action in the window has caused some Arsenal fans to forget how brilliant Arteta’s team was last season?
After a disappointing end to last season, in which we lost the title chase on the final day by just 2 points, the North Londoners needed to take advantage of this summer transfer window to add quality to the club.
However, despite our need to recruit, the transfer market remains stagnant, making it more challenging to find the quality of players the team requires. For example, after missing out on Benjamin Sesko, it has been difficult to find the ideal striker for the Gunners’ attack, even if they desperately want one.
With the signings of Calafiori and (hopefully) Merino, Arsenal have improved their quality since last season. This improvement is significant because this summer’s transfer window has allowed us to add to a young, 89-point team that is still improving. Therefore, even if this summer’s business concludes with the addition of Calafiori, Merino, and hopefully a forward, Arsenal still has the potential to excel next season without overspending on marquee deals this summer.
Sam P
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We do….we should probably use it this season
Finally….a sensible article on the transfer window.
It was clear that the LB was an issue for us all season once Timber got injured … that’s now been resolved with Timber recovering but moreover Calafiori incoming. Also means we have plenty of cover across the defensive line
We actually have got 2 more goalkeepers in this window with Stetford likely the one being Raya understudy and a great one for the future
That leaves the midfield to be addressed…..does Partey have a full season in him ? Jorginho doesn’t seem fit enough to play a full season
Merino or Guimares (swap for Ramsdale)ikely incoming meaning we are very strong in those areas
Scored 91 goals last year and you hope a fit Jesus will improve on that
So why all the doom and gloom…?
well said !!!!
I don’t think it is “doom and gloom” but rather an acknowledgement by many fans that Arsenal needs to, as the article says, strengthen its current (very good) squad which with the exception of Calafiori it hasn’t so far.
There’s time still to do that of course, but it has to be done because we may just not have enough as things stand and potentially missing out on a third consecutive PL title would be, well, “unfortunate” in the extreme.
We still need that striker who can unlock defences, the games we lost against Fulham and West Ham could have been avoided, as for a fit Jesus I won’t hold my breathe, he will not score more than twelve PL goals if he remains fit. Just my opinion, and a plan B would help as well
I said this in Dan’s article about needing a striker.
If we are up and read for the off against Wolves, I can’t see how our defence won’t improve on last seasons excellent showing.
Neither can I see our goals for taking a dive, even without ESR and a new striker – although it would help regarding a plan B.
These last two seasons have seen the club take immense strides both on and off the pitch and the author is correct in saying that we have short memories… well some do anyway, both in the positive and negative senses!!
Yes, we have the second best squad in the PL, but we don’t want to finish second again, do we?
Quite. The purpose of this widow (hopefully) is to strengthen that already very good squad so that it becomes the best squad and Arsenal actually win the PL in 2024-25.
No, we HAD the second best squad in the PL.
We have signed Caicedo, got Timber back and Partey is injury free at long last.
We have got Ethan and Miles, who are raring to go and there are still days to go in the transfer market.
So we HAVE strengthened the squad that finished second and that answers Bertie’s point below.
Caicedo?????
You mentioned that Arsenal still has the potential to excel this season . May be true . Arsenal may get more points than last season but city can get just one more point than us or get same points with a better goal difference.
The point is they will do whatever it takes to win the league . To topple city we needed more signings
The league will be decided in those matches where Arsenal has an off day . On those days a real clinical number nine can get us the 3 points . We lack that
A Number 9 like … er, Haaland for example? Or obviously as near as we can get in the circumstances.
When I’ve suggested this, I’m reminded through posts here that the likes of Jesus and Havertz might step up in 2024-25. Let’s hope so, of course. Personally, I think I’d be happier with the added security of a proven goal scorer.
And we shouldn’t forget that we have two new brilliant youngsters who are ready to step up in Ethan and Myles. That’s like 2 new signings apart from returning Timber, though I feel he will only be fully integrated in the later stages of the season.
Every good team needs a solid, dependable defense. And we got Calafiori who is going to level up our buildup on the left-hand side and the middle apart from defend wide channels, which we lacked last season. We are almost there in terms of a winning squad. A clinical winger or a striker is welcome as a plan B, but the squad is shaping up well.
Oh boy, the same old Arsenal fans
Yes, but top EPL teams have already been familiar with the abilities and tendencies of our key players
We need the player types we don’t have, to attack and score with different methods
Our hold-up play is inconsistent and we rarely score from free kicks. We could surprise the other EPL teams if we have players who excel in those aspects
Well said 👌 you have a point there @Gai.
But Arteta and Edu don’t seem to have your idea. Halaand as prolific as he is isn’t exceptional at holdup. Sometimes a CF may be good at holdup like Zirkee but his cinvertion rate not top notch same with Giroud.
It’s simple most CF don’t have it all.
IMO a prolific. CF is what Arsenal needs considering how our frontline missed several chances last season even Havertz..
Imagin us having “a VParsy” last season may be we could have won the league.
In my opinion, Haaland is very good at playing with his back to goal and holding off big CBs, as seen when he handled De Ligt and Upamecano
This arsenal team with a van persy like striker can’t be matched even by pep’s city
if Arsenal do buy a striker JA may as well shut up shop, nothing else to talk about
It can’t be brilliant if they don’t win anything
@Dan
Real Talk…👍🏾
We have an awesome squad and I love them to bits ❤️
But we need another qua midfielder and a bettet goal scoring forward to win trophies
I’m not saying we can’t do it without them. We came close the last 2 seasons but we need them to improve our chances
We have a good enough team to compete on one front. Great teams are able to compete on multiple fronts. Just sayin…
We need to buy a striker and sell Nketiah.
No sentiments, Ars was second best to a little above average Man City in 2023/24 compared to 2 seasons ago. Don’t be in a hurry to recognize the fact that Liverpool are already upping their game, Chelsea won’t be a push over, Man U is still there with Spurs playing without pressure and of course a likely batter Man City side. So Ars should not gauge the squad from last season’s performance, it may not get the 2nd position again. Get a World Class no 9, Merino and a cheaper option as back up to Saka.
What was done last time around, don’t count on this go round. Jus sayin…