Arsenal have several positions that need urgent attention in the summer transfer window
Arsenal’s success this season can largely be attributed to their aggressive approach in last summer’s transfer market.
Their record-breaking expenditure of over £250million was instrumental in delivering the brilliant first half of the season under Mikel Arteta, with the club topping both the Premier League and Champions League standings and reaching the Carabao Cup final.
However, the north Londoners’ vulnerabilities have been exposed since January, proving that sporting director Andrea Berta still has plenty of work to do this summer. The Gunners continue to be hampered by injuries, which have made it clear in recent weeks that certain squad players lack the quality to carry the mantle, threatening their pursuit of silverware.
This points towards the need for a summer clear-out and additional signings to maintain momentum, regardless of how this season ends. Football.london now looks 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.
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Sell deadwood
Berta has already demonstrated his capacity to pull off marquee signings, but his failure to offload unwanted Arsenal players proved disappointing last summer. In comparison to several of their rivals, the Gunners have struggled with player sales, a problem extending back to Edu Gaspar’s tenure.
This must change over the summer, with Arsenal needing player sales to bolster their finances, particularly given last summer’s considerable outlay and further expenditure planned this year. According to The Athletic, sales are essential to fund incoming transfers, meaning Berta should prioritise clearing out the 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 hardly a secret. The Gunners have leaned heavily on Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice to an extent that is unsustainable long-term.
This remains the case despite Christian Norgaard’s arrival 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 Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali has been tipped for a move to N5 since January, his £80-100m valuation means Atalanta’s Ederson is a more attainable target.
Ederson, 26, is valued at around £43million by the Serie A outfit, but interested parties, including Arsenal and Manchester United, are confident they can secure 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 had spells at the likes of Cruzeiro, Corinthians and Salernitana before joining Atalanta in June 2022. Since his arrival, he has contributed 15 goals and five assists across 177 appearances, helping Atalanta win the Europa League two seasons ago and establish themselves as consistent top-four contenders.
Bring in top winger
Arsenal’s problem throughout much of Arteta’s reign has been a shortage of game-changing forwards. Last summer’s attacking signings, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, have struggled to convince at the Emirates this season, meaning the hunt for such a player persists.
However, the main concern remains on the left flank, which no squad member has managed to make their own, making it an obvious weakness in the team. Arteta and Berta should target a maverick, and potentially even a world-class winger.
Although elite options are limited, Arsenal have maintained a long-standing interest in Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon. No concrete talks have been reported as yet, but all three would represent high-profile acquisitions capable of significantly strengthening their attack.
Newcastle’s Gordon is expected to leave this summer for a fee in the region of £75m, while Barcola’s limited playing time at PSG could prompt him to seek a fresh challenge. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed recently that, along with a left-wing signing, Arsenal could sign a second attacker too in the summer.
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