Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Arteta: No update on new signings but “everything is possible”

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are no closer to recruiting further players this summer and says his focus is on getting the best out of those who are currently on the books.

Despite making five signings and adding the returning William Saliba to the first team, the manager has spoken openly in recent weeks about his desire to “do something else if the market allows us” with a new winger reported to be high up the list of priorities.

It’s also believed four more players could depart before the transfer window closes on 1st September with Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Nicolas Pepe and the injured Reiss Nelson all open to new opportunities. To date, 10 first teamers have been sold or loaned out.

Asked if Arsenal’s good start to the season had changed their transfer plans, Arteta said: “No, we’re still in the same position, obviously the market gives you a lot of information, something that maybe you expected that you could get, you are not getting. It’s the same with ins and outs.

“We are focused on the players we have right now and getting the best out of them.”

On what he’s looking for, he added: “It has to be the right person and it has to be the right player. We want to only bring top quality through that door, if not, it’s not worth it.”

Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on specific cases and batted away questions about Maitland-Niles (“we are addressing those things personally”) and Bellerin (“No update”).

On Nicolas Pepe’s links with Nice, he said: “What we can communicate, we always do it when its the right moment, we discussd that we have a big squad, we have made some decisions and we allowed to leave some players.

“The window is open, everything is possible with any player.”

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C.B.

We need a TP backup and may be OK otherwise, if Marquinos steps up.

Just have to hope for no injuries especially to TP, Saka, Jesus and Ramsdale.

Tom

Elneny is Partey backup, he’s literally only in the squad for that reason and he’s perfectly adequate backup really. Also it looks like a Partey injury/absence would be slightly less damaging than last season based on recent performances, the team is set up differently now and his influence is not as pronounced. I would think we might possibly play a double pivot if that happened anyway, and now Zinchenko would be an option for that as well. If we lose any of our forwards for any considerable time then I’d be worried. Definitely need someone in who can play across… Read more »

Heavenly Chapecoense

Eddie is Gabriel Jesus backup, he’s literally only in the squad for that reason.

Public Elneny

Ah just put some faith in Lokonga, he isn’t bad at all

If we go for a midfielder, it should be for a starter. We’ve got enough numbers already

C.B.

TP points per game with 2.2, without 0.8 last season.

I fear for us if he’s not available.

Public Elneny

Ok but with Elneny as well we already have 2 backups for him, a 3rd won’t help. A backup by definition isn’t as good, but with Lokonga we have a player who might develop into a starter. That PPG drop off is extreme yes, but there were other factors, like injuries to Tomiyasu and Tierney at the same time. Let’s say Partey becomes unavailable for the reason I think we’re all aware of but unwilling to say. We’d only avoid a big drop off by signing a starting quality player, or putting faith in Lokonga that he’ll develop quickly with… Read more »

Jagun

If preseason is anything to go by (and it is in our case because we started the season with the same preseason team) Lonkonga is our backup no 8 behind Xhaka, and if preseason is anything to go by, he’s ready.

thw14

Ideally, we should have faith in Lokonga to back up Partey. The question is whether the manager does. If he doesn’t, then our need for a midfielder is a little more urgent than ‘if we find the right player’.

One Beat Off

Elneny for PT and Lokonga for Xhaka. Lakonga had a wonderful game against Orlando in that Xhaka position. If I remember correctly, he was in the box and got an assist. I have faith.

Nainsley Aitland Miles

Thomas Partey’s backup is Elneny.

A Different George

I think for short-term issues, we have a fair number of possibilities to cover for Partey (Elneny as at the end of last season; Xhaka, because moving him from his normal spot is much more feasible with Zinchenko available; Lokonga has promise; maybe even Ben White, now that we have Saliba).

But if Partey is unavailable long-term for whatever reason, then we have a problem unless Lokonga develops very quickly or we get Tielemans or someone like him.

Arsesplat

So… Elneny is the TP backup and Vera, Marquinhos left wingers? May our starters have legs of iron and hearts of gold!

Parth

A CM is an absolute necessity. Not only as a backup in case of injury, but also for increasing intensity in a 5-sub system.

Horse breath

AMN to Wolves. Now they’ve got a bit of dosh.

iGooner

I have a feeling we’ll go for Victor Osimhen next season. It just makes sense seeing that the trend is moving towards big strikers. Plus his contract ends in 2024. Just gotta get that Champions League back at the carpet.

Gunner1971

I’m not sure there is a trend toward big strikers.

However, if you find a very talented lethal striker who is quick and also has size, what’s not to like?

Ebuka Nwaokeke

On what he’s looking for, he added: “It has to be the right person and it has to be the right player. We want to only bring top quality through that door, if not, it’s not worth it.”

HulaHoopsBaptista

“We are focused on the players we have right now and getting the best out of them.”

Thank God, I can stop hitting F5 every few seco….

“The window is open, everything is possible with any player.”

Fucks sake Mikel! You big tease.

Randy

Not gonna lie, that last bit you quoted actually made me fear for the players we have when i first read it. I think we all know who is in the shop window but it scared me for a second to imagine a first team player being someone where “anything is possible”

Boy Bastin

It’s certainly possible that we’ll bring in one more player before the deadline but it’s difficult to see who that may at present. It could go down to the wire (in Wenger fashion), but I hope not as the closer the deadline gets there’s often more chance of a problem somewhere and the deal falls through. Quite a lot of the club’s current effort is probably focused on the “exit” door at The Emirates as we still want to shift a few players. The possible sale of AMN could raise a “reasonable” sum I guess, but that’s about it –… Read more »

Pepe does look set to leave. The question is, do we sign a replacement, or does Mikel see Marquinhos as ready for the first team squad as Saka’s backup. I would actually be tempted to give Marquinhos those cup and Europa minutes. I can still see Tielemens being signed. Look out for the Leicester teamsheet today, rumours Tielemens (and Fofana) both asked to be left out with moves imminent. If we can get Tielemens for 20m that would be an absolute steel as he’s worth double that. I don’t think he goes straight into the first 11 yet as Xhaka… Read more »

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