football.london breaks down what a dream summer transfer window might look like for Arsenal
Arsenal winning the Premier League is something supporters have dreamt of for 22 years, some fans less simply because they have not been alive to have experienced it. Therefore, many of the current fan base have never experienced a summer transfer window with the Gunners as champions.
Historically, Arsenal haven’t spent mega millions, however the transfer window was a very different place over two decades ago. After the 1998 title, Arsenal spent just north of £10million on Nwankwo Kanu, Freddie Ljungberg, Kaba Diawara and Nelson Vivas.
In 2002, after the double win, Gilberto Silva and Pascal Cygan came in, while after the Invincible season in 2004, the club added depth with Manuel Almunia, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Eboue and Mathieu Flamini, who would all go on to become starters, but not until some time later.
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2026 is much different, with hope of upgrading the left wing, central midfield and potentially other areas too, and another potential record spend after revenues soared, leaving the club plenty of room under the new Financial Squad Cost Ratio regulations introduced by the Premier League, but under which the club operate with stricter UEFA rules anyway.
Therefore, in a dream world, what would I love to see? Well my favoured midfield signing has changed over the course of the year, as opinions should, but I have been mightily impressed with Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille and Morocco.
It is no surprise the world’s best clubs are all keen, but when you see the price tags for Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Mateus Fernandes, a move for Bouaddi at a reported £60million-plus is much lower for a player who looks like he could reach those aforementioned names’ levels and perhaps go even further.
Arsenal’s midfield is already well-stocked, and with Myles Lewis-Skelly, a new option, it would give the 18-year-old plenty of time to adjust. Eventually replacing the likes of the experienced Mikel Merino in the long run and Christian Norgaard in the short term.
In the full-back roles, it seems Nathaniel Brown is off the table with Bayern Munich on the scene, which is a shame on the left. However, I like Marco Palestra of Atalanta for the right, but again, that seems a tricky deal to do with a switch to Inter Milan progressing.
Ivan Fresneda looks more gettable but is much more offensive and perhaps slightly vulnerable defensively, but options for “back-ups” to Jurrien Timber are not going to be forthcoming, and so beggars cannot be choosers. The Spaniard would offer real quality and difference to the Dutch full-back.
On the left, Adrien Truffert of Bournemouth has been mightily impressive, and if Arteta wants to sign a more attacking option on the side and use Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori as depth options for Gabriel’s role, the Frenchman would make a lot of sense. But knowing the Cherries, he could be pricey.
Morgan Rogers is an absolute gem of a player, and even the £85million-plus asking price is not putting me off. If Arsenal can do it, and from the sounds of things, they can, they absolutely should.
Christos Tzolis looks like a great depth option for the left wing. I had hoped a name that no one was even thinking about would come up, a wildcard transfer of sorts and it could be this wish comes true.
But if there is room to spend more, both Bradley Barcola and potentially Junior Kroupi, who, despite being more of a second striker, I feel could definitely be a threat off the left, would be preferred.
Replacing Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with Rogers and Kroupi is quite the step up. Potentially adding even a third to that with the aid of Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri’s departures, and suddenly Arsenal go from having the third-best attack in the league to being in the conversation for one of the best.
With these outgoings also comes the pressure to break Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s record sale. Specifically regarding Martinelli and Nwaneri, both should set a new benchmark.
Despite the noise from some over Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, I would definitely keep both. Noni Madueke is even shifting my view as I try to have a more open mind despite my frustrations with him this season.
Overall, this would be a mega window for Arsenal, and with their status as champions, it is definitely a possible outcome where before it would have been only a dream. That’s what winning can do – over to you, Andrea Berta!
