Arsenal's dream start to the transfer window could see a £43m star signed and a key position urgently addressed. Mikel Arteta has plenty of work to do to improve Arsenal this summer, following a season where early success was undermined by injuries and squad depth issues.
Proactive Summer Needed
Much of Arsenal’s success this season can be attributed to their proactive approach in last summer’s transfer window. Their club-record spending of over £250m played a crucial role in the near-perfect first half of the season, with Mikel Arteta’s men topping both the Premier League and Champions League tables and earning a spot in the Carabao Cup final.
Yet, the north Londoners’ frailties have come to light since January, proving that sporting director Andrea Berta still has plenty of work to do this summer. The Gunners continue to be plagued by injuries, which have made it clear in recent weeks that some squad players are simply not good enough to carry the mantle, jeopardising their chances of landing any silverware.
That suggests a summer clear-out and further recruitment is necessary to build on from here, no matter how this season ends. Mirror Football takes a look at three decisive actions the Arsenal hierarchy must take early on in the upcoming transfer window, which opens in June, to ensure a dream summer.
Sell Deadwood
Berta has already proven he can secure big-name signings, but his ability to find buyers for out-of-favour Arsenal players left plenty to be desired last summer. Compared with some of their rivals, the Gunners have been poor at selling players, dating back to Edu Gaspar’s time.
That has to change this summer, with Arsenal needing to make sales to generate revenue, in light of last summer’s heavy investment and this year's planned expenditure. The Athletic reports sales are crucial in order to have the financial means to secure signings in the window, meaning Berta should look to flog some of the team’s deadwood early on.
Gabriel Jesus and Ben White are expected to be moved on, while either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard should be sold after disappointing seasons. Should a tempting offer come in for out-of-favour academy products Ethan Nwaneri or Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal could cash in on the youngsters, given their sales would represent pure profit.
Sign Ederson
Arsenal’s need for another central midfielder is well known. The Gunners have had to rely on Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice more than is sustainable going forward.
That’s despite Christian Norgaard being signed last summer. Arteta clearly doesn’t trust the former Brentford veteran enough to let him take any meaningful minutes off Rice or Zubimendi, having not handed Norgaard a Premier League start yet this season.
That suggests Arsenal are already looking at potential options who can break into the starting line-up next season. While Sandro Tonali of Newcastle has been linked with a move to N5 since January, his £80-100m price-tag means Atalanta’s Ederson is a far more realistic acquisition.
Ederson, 26, is valued at around £43m by the Serie A side, but suitors, including Arsenal and Manchester United, believe they can land the Brazilian for around £10m less. The Athletic claims Ederson, who only has a year left on his contract and is unlikely to renew his deal, is expected to exit the Serie A club before the World Cup, meaning Arsenal could complete the deal early on in the window if they deem him talented enough.
The midfielder spent time at the likes of Cruzeiro, Corinthians and Salernitana before arriving at Atalanta in June 2022. Since then, he has registered 15 goals and five assists in 177 games, helping Atalanta win the Europa League two seasons ago and also build on their reputation as top-four regulars.
Bring in Top Winger
Arsenal’s problem for much of Arteta’s tenure has been a lack of game-changing forwards. Last summer’s forward signings, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, have failed to set the Emirates alight this season, meaning the search for such a player continues.
But the primary issue remains on the left flank, which no player in the squad has managed to stamp down as their own, making it a clear weakness in the team. Arteta and Berta should look for a maverick, and potentially even a world-class winger.
While there are few of those on the market, Arsenal have registered long-term interest in the likes of Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon. As of yet, there have been no firm or concrete talks reported, but each of the three players would be a marquee addition, drastically bolstering their front line.
Newcastle's Gordon is expected to depart this summer for a fee of around £75m, while Barcola's lack of regular starts for PSG could lead him to push for a move elsewhere. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano suggested recently that, along with a left-wing signing, Arsenal might sign a second attacker too in the summer.
