Calafiori’s arrival shows how Arteta is constantly evolving

noises of Mikel Merino and that possible arrival (more from yesterday’s blog where I gave some thoughts on that possible arrival here) will probably start to hot up now, whilst our attack is pretty stocked at the moment you have to say. Martinelli, Trossard, Gabriel Jesus looking good, Havertz, Saka give us some quality. We will probably need one more if Eddie and Reiss depart, but I guess that is more to do with exits rather than a big hole that needs to be filled. Ideally you want to shift them on and buy one wide forward who can operate across the front three to cover Saka if needed, but Gabriel Jesus did that against City so even if the season started tomorrow, it feels like we have cover. So I’m not massively stressed about our attacking options.

Instead, I am excited, because this team is taking shape, the squad is looking good, plus I haven’t even mentioned the likes of Nwaneri who will be hopeful of getting minutes too. It’s an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan. Let’s hope that excitement can continue in to the summer and for the first very tough half-a-dozen games or so. 

The other news that emerged yesterday was around ESR’s exit and whilst some are saying that £27million plus £7million in add on’s is a decent deal, that feels on the light side to me. It wasn’t that long ago that Villa were after him for around £40million. I’ve seen some suggest that it’s because he can’t stay fit, but for large chunks of last season he was, in fact, fit and ready to play. Arteta just didn’t feel he could use him for whatever reason. If he maintains that fitness then Fulham will have got themselves a bit of a steal in my opinion, a bit like they did by getting Bernd Leno for just £4million. This ESR deal is pure profit to be banked, that’s good, but it doesn’t 100% exonerate Edu on the charge of not being able to recoup decent fees for players. During a summer in which we’re seeing deals for some players going at £40million who have barely played any Premier League football, this just feels a little like we’ve caved. Not by a lot – I would have said something like £34million with add on’s would have been market value – but every little helps these days, doesn’t it?

Let’s wait until that’s confirmed though before we can say our farewells and thank you to a Hale Ender who will always be thought of fondly at The Arsenal.

Until then, catch you tomorrow.