Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will be alert in the transfer market right up to deadline day as they look to finalise a squad for a third consecutive title push.
The Gunners are on the verge of completing a deal with Real Sociedad for midfielder Mikel Merino, adding the Spain international to the summer arrivals of David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori.
With Aaron Ramsdale expected to leave the club, Arsenal need a backup goalkeeeper (or two) and, if both Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson depart, it’s possible they could also be tempted to strengthen in attack.
Asked about the Merino negotiations, Arteta said: “I cannot talk about any player that is not with us, there’s still time in the market, both ways, for all the managers and teams and you can tell how busy it’s getting.
“I don’t assume [deals will get done], the full focus is on the players we have at the moment and the big match we have tomorrow against Aston Villa. That’s where we’re at.”
Nottingham Forest have already had one bid for Nketiah rejected by the Gunners but they are expected to make a second in the coming days.
“I expect Eddie to train with us today to be prepared for tomorrow,” responded Arteta when asked for an update. “Whatever happens, it will happen if it is good for everybody.”
Following the departure of Emile Smith Rowe and academy prospects Mika Biereth and Brooke Norton-Cuffy, a departure for Nketiah and the proposed sale of Charlie Patino to Deportivo La Coruna seemingly highlights a trend for selling homegrown talent.
When it was put to Arteta that other clubs were doing the same, he made clear that he doesn’t differentiate between his players based on how long they’ve been on the books.
“I wouldn’t differentiate it because Arsenal and many other club have sold older players. They’re part of the squad, you cannot differentiate it, they are getting sold,” he said.
“Now you’ve got a player who wants to go, sometimes because the club needs to because both of them agree that it’s the best thing to do for the sake of their career.
“Those players have been at the club for a long time, whereas with foreign players maybe that doesn’t happen. I wouldn’t look at it that way, I think it’s important that when we make a decision or a player makes a decision, we are fully aligned.
“In the case of Emile, it was clear, he expressed a desire to play more in the last two seasons and it’s very understandable. You can’t stand in the way of somebody who has given you so much.”
Last summer, Arsenal were taken by surprise when Gabriel Magalhaes was the subject of a late and tempting offer from Saudi Arabia. Having been a mainstay in pre-season preparations, the decision was taken to keep the Brazilian out of the side while the noise around a potential deal, that ultimately didn’t happen, died down.
You sense that situation was at the back of his mind when he was asked about keeping an eye out in the market right up until the end.
“We have to because anything can happen both ways and you have to be ready,” he said.
“Especially in the last week you better be alert because there are a lot of surprises that can come for many different reasons and we are prepared.”
As for other clubs not doing as much business as expected, Arteta had this to say: “Everybody will be in a different position. We knew what we wanted to do, what we could do, as well which is important, and we have to put those two things together at the end.
“What is available that can strengthen our squad, make the team better for the short, medium and long term as well which is important.
“Another thing that is very important is to look at our academy as well, it has to be approached in the right way because now we have some promising talent coming out there, so we have to create some space for those kids to establish themselves and come very close to the first team as well.”
I am also ready for the suprise arrival of Rodrygo or Johan Bakayoko. 😀
Yes, sign Johan Bakayoko please. Class player IMO.
I read the previous post about Arteta signing new contract and sat here feeling appreciative and grateful that my beloved Arsenal are back where we belong thanks to Arteta’s genius in turning around a toxic atmosphere into what we are all experiencing today. I posted my appreciation. I then read this article and my grand appreciation deepened. Arteta is so wise. He gets asked a question and the wisdom justs flows. I sat thinking how would I answer these questions and I think I know a lot about football 😂. I would be more like a cockney Neil Warnock. Dragged… Read more »
I feel like We need to give forest a deadline. We clearly won’t go into the market for an attacker unless Eddie leaves (mistake in my opinion). If forest drag their feet and decide to submit an acceptable bid at the 11th hour on deadline day we are stuck with 5 attackers (only one prolific) across 3 roles for potentially 60 odd games. Really like the Merino signing. Wish he was 2-3 years younger but I’m nit picking. He looks fantastic.
If Eddie goes and we don’t have a replacement bought in by the time the window closes, it won’t be ideal, but won’t be a disaster either. I imagine that we would consider Martinelli as a rotation option in the central attacker role – which I’d be happier than if we splashed out £30-50m on a good-but-not-world-class striker such as a Madueke or a Toney.
If Eddie leaves, which he likely will, I think we are short. I am happy with our centre forward options. There is no mythical 30+ striker available on the market unless we are talking silly money (and even then). I think we need a versatile wide forward who can play across the line. Lookman, Williams (I’m dreaming) or a similar profile would be ideal. I’d settle for Sane. Coman and Sterling are a big no from me.
Why no for Coman?
Injuries, wages, physical decline from his prime
Coman is top and scores important goals. Never understood why Deschamps plays Dembele ahead of him. Coman is a middle-class man’s Saka.
Lookman isn’t what we need. He’s more of an inside forward like Foden, doesn’t really create for himself, needs structure to support his game. We need a maverick chaos creator (breaker profile) to collapse defensive structures (like Williams, Doku, Neto, etc.).
I don’t think Arsenal are waiting for Eddie’s transfer to be signed to start talks with another striker or forward. Rather they’re waiting for it to be signed to sign another forward. Giving Forest a deadline is a sound idea though. I really want Eddie to thrive somewhere and for us to get a good forward.
Not everything is in our hands, but it feels like we have a lot to do in a relatively short time. Ramsdale, Nketiah, Nelson, Kiwior, and adding at least two if all four depart.
I don’t know who’s downvoting this. It’s clearly the plan to offload all of the above if suitable buyers can be found. And if this happens we’ve lost 3 attackers (including Emile) and a goalkeeper and absolutely need at least 2 replacements.
People forget we have potentially 60 odd games to play this year, will be under huge pressure to win every one and may not be quite so fortunate with injuries considering our two most prolific attackers (and others) haven’t had a break this summer.
Yeah. We will have Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, Trossard, and Havertz for three positions. One injury and we have one attacking option on bench. Two injuries and we will have noone on bench. There will definitely be an addition if both depart. Adding a goalkeeper is also a must if Ramsdale leaves.
I think if Sancho is available for under £50m and reasonable wages, that would be great business.
Seriously talented and could be another Havertz style signing where we get the best out of a poorly managed player.
Can play left and right and would help share some of Sakas minutes.
You think Mr non negotiables would welcome someone who is habitually late to training back in the side? Stranger things have happened, but Sancho becoming punctual probably isn’t one of them
Not a fit on or off the pitch. Plus he’s expensive. Sterling or Rashford would both be a better option from a fit perspective.
They’d have to take significant pay cuts. I believe Sterling is on 325K per week and Rashford is close to that. No way we’re paying even half of that to either of them.
Agreed! Just talking tactical fit. I wouldn’t sleep on a loan deal for Sterling though. Areteta loves that guy.
Yes, as far as tactical goes, Sterling would be a wonderful backup for Saka and he can also play across the line. I kind of feel he’s somewhat underachieved for most of his career but I think Mikel could really get the best out of him.
I would rather jump on Mbuemo or Semenyo.
Or Sonogo (if he’s still playing)
Expecting a late Saudi bid for Thomas partey after our window has shut, and possibly the addition of someone like raphina or lookman in.
The buzz seems to be that Arsenal are definitely signing a winger, presumably once the Eddie deal is sealed. I expect this to be a moderate investment in line with what we have paid for RC and MM. Arsenal keeping it very tight in terms of targets but they loved Williams and Neto, so I expect someone with similar qualities: burst, ball striking, 1 vs 1 ability, dribbler.
I hope you’re right Doc
Not ideal but it’s gonna be Sterling on loan with buy option.
Arteta will recycle the Jesus Zinny sales proposition, kick the bucket a couple months or a year down the road, and sign Nico for his £46m release clause straight to La Liga in Jan or in the summer.
Kick the issue I mean.
I hope Arteta is with us for a long time.
I was impressed with Sterling last season. Still had his burst. Not exactly the profile we need but a ready made veteran with a lot to offer still and no long term obligation sounds pretty good to me. Chelsea would have to make some major concessions on any potential loan deal, but they are not in a position of strength here.
Sterling on loan would be a good option. Coached by Arteta at City & a proven goal scorer when in a team that knows what they’re up to.
Not certain, but I think Sterling would become Arsenal’s highest-paid player (certainly close). Makes no sense.
He’s on 325K a week. We’re not paying that.
Nope, we’re not. It would be partially subsidized wages. But Chelsea might not have a better option and RS would push hard on his end.
Who is the play maker if odegard is injured
Saka
Nwaneri
I wonder if one of the surprises is we don’t sign Merino.