The Gunners are now closing in on completing several significant deals, and the prospect is for more to follow in the final five weeks before things wrap up once again. For Edu Gaspar and the recruitment team, it may well have come slightly later than initially hoped, but the window has certainly started to click into gear.
Arsenal are now on the verge of adding their first major new arrival to the squad, with Riccardo Calafiori undergoing a medical before joining up with the squad in America. Meanwhile, academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe will become the most expensive sale since Joe Willock and only behind Alexis Sanchez in club history when he leaves to join Fulham.
It could kickstart a period of ins and outs at the Emirates Stadium (or wherever Arsenal are based in the USA at the time) that sees the very fabric of Arteta's squad shaken up. Here, football.london takes a look at what things might look like come the start of the Premier League season in just three weeks.
Some initial rules to lay out are that Under-21 players (those born on or after January 1, 2003) do not have to be registered in the 25-man squad and can be used freely by the club. Also, contrary to common myth, there are no specific home-grown player quotas; however, there is a limit on non-homegrown players.
Arsenal (and their rivals) can only name 17 non-homegrown players in the squad. This is not just limited to those who aren't English though, with the rules stating that players only have to have been at an affiliated FA club for three seasons before their 21st birthday, hence why William Saliba, David Raya, and Gabriel Martinelli are all deemed homegrown.
Goalkeepers: Raya, Bentley
This list initially looks short, but given Tommy Setford has arrived to join the academy and is 18, he does not need to be registered but can play as a backup. It is the senior spots that are the most interesting, though.
David Raya is first choice, but Aaron Ramsdale is seeking an exit in search of more football. Karl Hein signed an extension to remain at the club, but football.london understands he would ideally like to find a loan himself in order to gain experience. It will be hard to keep both players happy, as neither will be keen on being backup to Raya.
That's where Bentley comes in. He is being looked at as the perennial third-choice to make up numbers and be a good character. The club could choose to risk things though and simply have just two senior goalkeepers to start the season, relying instead on the academy to provide as and when needed.
Defenders: White, Saliba, Calafiori, Timber, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Gabriel
If numbers in goal are small, then immediately in front the same cannot be said. Arsenal already had a stacked backline with versatile options across defence before Calafiori. When he joins, it will surely spell the end of Jakub Kiwior's stay.
The Polish international is gaining the attention of clubs in Italy and may well look to depart having been given yet more competition at both centre-back and left-back now. Although there aren't as many numbers as may be desired, the fact that four of the seven listed here can play at least two positions is certainly a help.
It is expected that Kieran Tierney, who was on loan last season, will be sold at some stage this summer. He is currently injured and is not in Arteta's thinking. Even if he was fit enough to play, it's unlikely that he makes the final squad.
Midfielders: Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho, Vieira, Fabian, Merino
There's set to be change in the defence, but perhaps even more in midfield. If Arsenal get their way, then as I his contract, Arsenal won't want things to drag on too much with the Ghanaian. Like with Smith Rowe, they will need to find a replacement though.
Fabio Vieira could hardly have played much less in the past two seasons, and after a promising start to the tour of the USA, he might fill a gap. It is no surprise that transfers are being discussed, though.
Mikel Merino is one to keep an eye on, with the Spaniard entering the last year of his own deal at Real Sociedad. The newly crowned European Champion may well be available for cheaper than others who have been looked at previously. He would not replace Partey but does fill a role in midfield as a roaming No.8. At a push, he could be a double pivot as well, next to Declan Rice if needed.
Smith Rowe and Partey going would still leave Arteta short for what promises to be a long season, though. That might explain the reported interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Fabian Ruiz. He was another who impressed at Euro 2024 and is said to have held talks over a move.
With Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelley, two of the most highly-rated Hale End academy prospects, both midfield operators, they can bolster the squad without being named as well. Given how much of a big season it is for Vieira and Jorginho's age, more big calls could be imminent as well in midfield as Arsenal look to get a real destroyer and anchor in at some stage.
Attackers: Jesus, Havertz, Gyokeres, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
It is likely to be more outs than ins up front for Arsenal, but that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from swirling. On strikers, it has largely gone quiet since Benjamin Sesko committed himself to RB Leipzig, but Viktor Gyokeres is not ruled out. He is the most natural alternative (along with Victor Osimhen), although he commands a much higher price.
His Hale End teammate Reiss Nelson is in the same boat. Leicester City are keen to take him on, with loans and options to buy being discussed. That would suit all parties without leaving a massive dent in the squad. Charles Sagoe Jr may well benefit from his exit and the move away from Arsenal for Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Nico Williams has been a player on the radar this summer, but a deal looks too expensive to complete. Barcelona have the best chance, it seems, and with the hope that Gabriel Jesus gets back to his best form and fitness, there is still cover on the wing and through the middle.
Kai Havertz offers options up front and as a midfield No.8 as well when needed, which will bolster the options deeper too. It once again looks shallow for Arsenal in attack, but their current candidates have been reliable enough, and Arteta is not a serious enough rotator to promise minutes to others anyway.
In total, this only uses up 21 of the available 25 squad slots, but due to versatility and the rich academy prospects, it may well be enough for Arsenal. Arteta only gave over 500 minutes across all competitions to 19 players last term, indicating just how much he prefers to trust his available players rather than test the limits of a squad. Going for many more senior additions would only limit their game time anyway.
0 Comments