Major arrivals
Going into the 2024/25 season, the squad has been streamlined. There are two players competing for every position, with the backline and midfield all versatile enough to cover other positions, should the necessity arise.
Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival may well be the long-term solution at left-back, following a successful season at Bologna. A left centre-back in Italy, Arteta has deployed Calafiori as a substitute centre-back so far this season, as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber lock out the left-back berth.
Calafiori is an excellent player and will only bring competition and professionalism to the squad, even if he can’t find a way into the starting eleven, though at €45m he is an expensive substitute.
The Gunners’ other big-money arrival was Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. Another established top quality player, he will offer rotation and a different balance to the midfield, easing the burden on Declan Rice especially. His injury is a disappointing setback this early in his Arsenal career, but he is good value at €32m and in the prime of his career.
Perhaps the best signing of the window was that of Raheem Sterling. Exiled from Chelsea, Edu was left with all the leverage to secure a loan deal for the England international and made the most of it. Ostensibly delighted to join, the majority of Sterling’s wages are being paid by Chelsea, with no loan fee as part of the deal.
Still in prime physical condition and able to cover left or right wing, Sterling could prove the difference maker in tight contests this season. He’s not expected to be a regular starter, but this is the move that has got Gunners the most excited, especially as it seemingly came from nowhere late in the window.
Goalkeeper games
It had also been all change amongst the goalkeepers (sort of). David Raya was obligated to sign following last season’s loan from Brentford and has started this season like a man possessed. Apart from Raya, no goalkeeper has remained.
Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Southampton feels like good business for Arsenal. Although no profit has been made by selling him for €21m, it’s refreshing to see the club recover money from player sales; the last few years have demonstrated woeful decision-making as many valuable assets such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey all left for free.
Last season’s third choice, Karl Hein, is gaining important first team experience in La Liga with Real Valladolid and will hopefully come back next season buoyant with confidence. The signing of Tommy Setford is encouraging and he will hopefully stay at the club for the next few years.
One strange decision was the board’s capture of Brazilian goalkeeper Neto from Bournemouth. Loaning in an experienced Premier League goalkeeper as second choice seems rational. Except, Neto is cup-tied in the League Cup following his appearance for Bournemouth in August against West Ham. A barometer of how seriously Arteta takes the competition will be whether Arteta starts Raya or Setford. Arthur Okonkwo also departed to Wrexham.
Valuable departures
All in all, the club’s net spend of €26m represents admirable financial stability and maximising of squad value, unlike a certain other club from London. As mentioned before, it is the outgoings which have changed this figure compared to previous seasons.
Convincing Fulham to pay a club record fee for Emile Smith Rowe was a major success. The 24 year-old was clearly surplus to Arteta’s squad, and he was unable to take the chances thrown to him off the bench last season. Arsenal fans will forever love the Croyden De Bruyne, but this marked the club’s intent relatively early in the window.
Another homegrown talent out of the project was Eddie Nketiah. Crystal Palace paid almost €30m for the striker, which seems like a fair market price and was just about what Arsenal were holding out for, following lower bids from Nottingham Forest. Nobody likes to see talented players leave, but these deals were beneficial for both parties.
Numerous loan deals have left the first team squad exceptionally streamlined, mimicking Manchester City’s successful squad model from the last three years. Sterling’s arrival allowed Reiss Nelson to depart and compete to be first choice right winger at Fulham. Fabio Vieira has returned to Porto to rebuild to confidence he has lost over the last couple of seasons.
Nuno Tavares continues to be dismissed as an option, travelling to Rome to play for Lazio this year. Surely 2025 will see Arsenal bring in a sizeable fee for the Portuguese? Youngsters Albert Sambi Lokonga and Marquinhos will continue their development at Sevilla and Fluminese respectively.
It wasn't all roses and sunshine
The primary issue with Arsenal’s window doesn’t concern what deal they did, but rather which ones they didn’t. Arteta’s decision to forgo a new striker will be judged on Kai Havertz’s Premier League goal return this season, which has started well with two in his first three games. With Sterling now a capable deputy to Bukayo Saka, Arteta also has no excuse to hide behind, should Saka suffer a serious injury.
There’s also the matter of Kieran Tierney. The only player left in the squad with no chance of first team football, the Scot was unable to secure a move for the season. It would be a major surprise if he came back into the fold, and a January move looks much more likely, as competition for the left-back berth comes from Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, Calafiori, and Zinchenko. The club were probably trying to sell Tavares permanently but were unable to.
Verdict
All in all, Arsenal’s transfer window was a major success. Sensible financial decisions were coupled with a clear prioritisation within the squad to leave the team better, sleeker, and with more tactical options. The only hitches come from the absence of superstar arrival and Tierney’s position in the club.
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