Managing Arsenal: Top Target signs and 26-year-old Transfer Agreed as Aaron Ramsdale Leaves
Arsenal might be compelled to sign additional players this summer if Mikel Arteta cannot ensure first-team opportunities for Hale End graduates.
With less than two weeks remaining before the transfer window closes, Mikel Arteta is running out of time to complete any final business. Arsenal have already brought in a few new players to the Emirates Stadium this summer, securing long-term deals for David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori.
Last summer, the Gunners spent over £200 million on players such as Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber. After making significant investments in the midfield and defense, Arteta might now consider signing a new striker, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding Eddie Nketiah’s future and Gabriel Jesus’ injury history.
Despite this, Arsenal still have three games to play before the transfer deadline, so Arteta will need to rely on sporting director Edu to manage the remaining business. With that in mind, AFCN has analyzed the potential moves Arsenal should consider before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Difficult Decisions Must Be Made
Arsenal have made significant progress in reducing their first-team squad, but there remains considerable work ahead. With the addition of Riccardo Calafiori, it seems necessary that Jakub Kiwior be either loaned out or sold.
Kiwior, a 24-year-old defender, was signed by Arsenal in January 2023 for £20 million. He made a positive impact towards the end of the last season, fitting in well at left-back. Arsenal stand to make a substantial profit by selling Kiwior this summer. However, they might also consider loaning him to a Champions League club to maximize their investment return.
Kieran Tierney should also be considered for sale, but his current injury may complicate this. Ideally, Arsenal would retain Emile Smith Rowe while offloading Fabio Vieira, who has struggled to make an impact since joining from Porto for £34 million two years ago.
Regarding Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Aaron Ramsdale, it appears Mikel Arteta has reached a point where moving them on should be a priority, despite the disappointment this brings. The desire to see more utilization of the Hale End graduates, especially Nketiah and Nelson, during Arteta’s tenure is understandable.
A few years ago, Nketiah and Nelson were among the most promising young talents in England. Now, they have been relegated to strong squad players, though they still have the potential to break into the starting lineup if they hit a run of good form.
Concerning loanees, the recommendation is to make every Under-21 player available for loan except for Ethan Nwaneri, who has a promising opportunity to break into the first-team this season, and Charlie Patino, who would benefit from finding a new club, ideally in the Championship.
Time to Strap in for Deadline Day
By the end of August, Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, would have assembled a strong and reliable squad. This squad will likely exclude those currently in the academy, such as Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Tommy Setford. These academy players will, however, have the opportunity to showcase their talents in training sessions and domestic cup matches.
As the transfer deadline approaches, Arsenal must be ready to respond to any last-minute developments. It’s possible that a Premier League rival might make a sudden bid for Aaron Ramsdale, or a Saudi Pro League team could offer a substantial sum for Thomas Partey.
Given these uncertainties, it would be wise for Arsenal to consider lining up additional deals, especially after securing top target, Mikel Merino’s signature. For instance, 26-year-old Viktor Gyokeres could be a key player in determining whether Arsenal win the Premier League, while Dan Bentley, a more understated but strategic signing, could serve as a reliable third-choice goalkeeper, adding home-grown talent to the squad.
Although these potential signings are not necessarily priorities, they represent realistic opportunities in the current market to enhance the squad’s depth. This is one of the unique aspects of the transfer window, where players who were previously overlooked or considered unattainable can suddenly become available.
Here’s AFCN realistic 22-man Arsenal squad for the season, excluding those in the Under-21s and Under-18s: David Raya, Tommy Setford, Dan Bentley (transfer); Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Mikel Merino (transfer), Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, Kai Havertz; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres (transfer), Gabriel Jesus.
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