Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s readiness for the January transfer window means the club won’t making panic buys as a result of the injuries affecting his squad.
The Gunners are tipped to strengthen their attacking options after losing Bukayo Saka to a long-term injury but it sounds like their list of targets has been in place for some time and won’t be affected by the sudden departure of Sporting Director Edu in November.
While he’s confidence of avoiding kneejerk decisions he did make clear that there’s always an element of risk when recruiting players.
“I think if we panic means that we are not prepared,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton.
“And a big thing is preparation. And when you are well prepared, your decisions will be better, they will be very well processed.
“And then it will be the thing whether when we decide to sign a player, does he perform, yes or no? And that’s a good decision or a bad decision after that.
“The preparation is done for sure and we are ready if we have to do something. But we know as well that we have an excellent squad and with players available we can compete with any team.”
Having formed a close bond with Edu over the last five years, it’s clear Arteta is still getting used to life without the Brazilian with whom he forged a strong bond.
The Gunners are expected to take their time before announcing a full time successor to the Sporting Director position, for the timebeing, Jason Ayto has been trusted with the role on an interim basis.
“It’s different,” admitted Arteta when asked about life with Edu.
“I’m so used to doing things with Edu, but Jason was part of that team, a big part of that team. He’s in charge. He’s in full charge right now and we have great communication. We are talking every day and we are prepared.
“The good thing about that is that neither Jason [Ayto] or I or Rich [Garlick] or Tim [Lewis], the owner, has to convince any players. The players want to come to Arsenal because what Arsenal is and how Arsenal is perceived and that’s a massive bonus.”
In the last few days, Arsenal have been linked with various players including Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush. We’ve also learned that Kieran Tierney is negotiating a possible return to Celtic.
He’s making his list,
He’s checking it twice,
He’s gunna find out,
Who inverts from the right…
He’s gunner find out….
You missed a beat :-p
For the record, I appreciate the continuous effort 👍🏻😂
Cunha would be a great addition. Both flanks and attacking mid.
He’s making his list,
He’s checking it twice,
He’ll only get Cunha,
If he’s the right price…
He’s making his list,
He’s checking it twice,
Who cares who we sign?
Because we’ve got Declan Rice!
You sound just like my wife after another 8 second display of passion…
Lmao 😁😆😅🤣🤣🤣😂
So we are going to wait until the end of January IF we do anything. Hopefully we can keep winning until then and not lose anyone else.
I’ve no actual evidence for this – But do you think Edu left because of our failure to sign attacking players in the summer?
I definitely don’t think it would have been the main reason but I could understand him being frustrated at Arteta only wanting certain players or nothing. Money would not have bern an issue as pretty much whatever Arteta has wanted he has got.
Nope. He’s friends with the Forest owner. Also Marinakis offered Edu him a huge raise to join their club. Edu might have strong connections to Arsenal but the leaves are greener at Forest…
And we know what makes them green!
Edu left because he pouted about not getting a promotion
Since tiny totts aren’t getting into Europe and we need a wide player… why not bid for their only good one and have a go at kulu? It would rile them up something fierce and be very funny.
On a serious note, buy bryan mbeumo when we get knocked back by williams/bilbao.
Mate, I just had that same bizarre brain wave watching Spu*s against Newcastle.
He’s a left footed that plays from the right who can also play as a ten, fits the bill of the profile we’re after- but extremely unlikely we’d even entertain the idea.
… and is too old!