Instantly Mikel Arteta had bolstered his squad all over the pitch, and it seemed like the Gunners were ready to once again challenge for the title as they did so relentlessly last year, stumbling late on to allow Manchester City to emerge victorious.
However, such a hefty outlay was not to be without the major sales too, with the need to balance the books integral in ensuring an intelligent business model remains the focus for sustainable growth.
After all, their steady rise back to the top of English football has likely boosted their coffers massively, but they will still want to avoid potentially falling into the same pitfalls that led their title rivals to be accused of making over 100 FFP breaches.
As such, Granit Xhaka was one outstanding casualty, who despite starring the season prior was pushed towards the exit door as he no longer complied with their youth-focused philosophy. His 14 goal contributions from the engine room in the league proved imperative, but the hope is that Havertz can provide similar firepower once he finds his feet.All the pieces are seemingly in place for another successful campaign at the Emirates, with their fine results in the opening four Premier League fixtures perhaps papering over the cracks of poorer performances.
It might even lead Arteta to wish he had a young, hungry and dynamic striker to lean on, the likes of which he also sold in the summer; Folarin Balogun.
Why did Folarin Balogun leave Arsenal?
Having enjoyed a true breakout year during his loan spell in Ligue 1, it was unlikely that Balogun was going to go willingly back to a place on the bench. After all, scoring 21 goals in a top European league unsurprisingly drew attention, the likes of which he likely entertained given the competition faced back at the Emirates.
For all his injury woes, Gabriel Jesus remains a remarkable striker who perfectly spearheads the Gunners' play style, with his pace, trickery and intelligent pressing all vital. However, having undergone knee surgery last term, and missed the opening few fixtures of this campaign, a worrying pattern is starting to form for the Brazilian.
England's Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring their first goal
Therefore, many assumed that upon the conclusion of his loan deal, Balogun might return from Stade Reims to challenge for a starting role.
However, they were swiftly proven wrong. In June the 22-year-old issued the ultimatum that Arteta would either have to play him or sell him, with the Spaniard opting for the latter as his revolution rumbled on.
The £25.7m fee amassed marked huge money for an academy product, whose only real success at senior level had come during that loan spell. Especially considering the aforementioned signings they had made, the sum of which took their spending to over £200m.
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