Mikel Arteta says he’s satisfied with the three signings he’s made this summer but expects more comings and goings before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
The Gunners have spent around £75 million recruiting Ben White from Brighton, Nuno Tavares from Benfica and Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht and are known to be on the hunt for a new goalkeeper and potential additions in midfield and attack.
The club is also desperate to offload a number of fringe players to avoid a repeat of last season when some players couldn’t be registered for competitive action.
Ahead of tomorrow’s season opener with Brentford, reflected on the business done so far in a challenging market.
“In this first period of the transfer window, i think we’ve done a few things that we wanted to do that are going to help us to get the squad in a much better place,” said Arteta.
“There’s still a window to go so I’m sure things will happen either way [in and out].
“I’m willing to work with the players I have at the moment and to get the best out of them. We’ll see what we can do.”
On how Arsenal approached the transfer market, he added: “We identified what we wanted to do, how we could strengthen our team short, medium and long-term and what we needed to achieve that. Then we defined the profile of players that can suit the model that we have at the moment at the club that can sustain our financial position and we made three movements in relation to that. And we decided some exits as well in relation to that.”
Over the course of the last few weeks and months, players from across Europe have been tipped to make the move to the Emirates. Likewise, a number of our squad have made headlines in other countries. Granit Xhaka came close to a move to AS Roma, Inter have flirted with Hector Bellerin and Alex Lacazette is said to have suitors. Despite all the talk, there’s not been much action.
“It’s been really busy,” said Arteta when asked if he’s been left underwhelmed by the market.
“You’ve named a few names but it tells you as well, how much we have to do and the position that we started the window. We are talking about the most difficult transfer market in this industry over the last years, for sure.
“We are trying to adapt. The club, the owners and myself, we have the same interest which is to make this team much stronger. We know we still have things to do to get where we want.
He added: “Things take time. There are all the time, different parties and different interests to get deals done. We are trying to do what we can. What is important as well is to make sure that the squad is healthy and to have the stability in the squad which is something we certainly missed up until December. That’s important as well.
“Anything is possible and there is still a lot of things to be done and a lot of clubs involved and you can see that things have started to move at a different speed in the last week or so. It’s been a really difficult transfer window and probably a lot of things will happen in the last week or so.”
On the need to sell players to be able to buy because of the financial issues caused by Covid, he said: “It is [difficult]for every club. We have ownership who are willing to invest in the team, to get the team better and with bigger aims.
“We are trying to find that balance because at the same time we need to be really careful because we need a financial position that is sustainable and healthy for the club.”
So in other words :-
it’s a really difficult market. Which it is
We still have at least half a dozen players we need to move on. Which we do.
We need at least two and maybe three more signings. We do.
But we’re not sure if we’re going to succeed…..Mmmmmm….
What makes this disappointing was how much work needed to be done this summer, and how little we’ve actually really accomplished. Our problem areas (midfield/rb/striker/backup – challenging for starter GK) all still remain.
That said for this team to really improve on consecutive mid-table finishes, the biggest changes are going to need to come from Arteta & not new players. The pre-season signs aren’t encouraging in terms of how we play, but hopefully he’s just saving everything for the real season!
Bayern munich have lost all their preseason games and their fans are not as pessimistic as ours. They have a lean squad of 21 with 2 new additions in umpamecano n omar richards. I see parallels with arsenal
Maybe that’s because Bayern win the league literally every season? We don’t. We’re not even close.
We are in a league that have a Bayern though. Nay two. We’re not close for obvious reasons.
Arsenal are like Bayern Munich ? Is that you Ivan ?
We’ve had good preseasons before and not started seasons well. I think I’m one of the very few positive Arsenal fans ahead of the season. Despite what people say, the starting XI is an, even if slight, upgrade from what we saw last season. That said, I’m only positive because I know we’ll make at least one decent midfield signing. Just hope it’s Odegaard or Aouar.
Against Brentford, we’re starting with a similar team that beat West Brom to turn our last season around. let’s hope we find our rhythm quick and get some confidence flowing. COYG!
Our main issues are tactical IMO – the squad is much better than it’s performed the past 2 years. The main concern is we still seem to be playing slowly and just pinging in crosses to Laca.
Sacked before Christmas, fingers crossed.
Wouldn’t you rather cross your fingers that we’re in the top four by then, and beyond?
Of course, but I really don’t think it’s realistic. I hope I am wrong and all your crossing fingers are worth it.
Why are so many rushing to judgement before the window is done. We got 3 good signings done and more likely to come. Sure it’s stressful worrying nothing else will happen but why express that by negativity and pretending that it is easy and straight. It is complicated and tricky if you are petroclub and champions League.
Hey, as from tomorrow you can also use “Why are so many rushing to judgment before the season is done?”
Excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses.
Nearly as boring as the football we play….
Nearly as boring as the internet nobs that get all hissy that we don’t win the league every year. It ain’t gonna happen for a while so be expert at something else for a while. Save your tears.
I have my crossed fingers jammed in 5 years.
Of course not, then he’d have nothing to come on here and complain about…
Arteta: “Hold my beer”
Fail to understand this sort of bilge. Seems blatant what we are trying to do and in the current state of the league what do you expect? Same screaming mums loaves.
Really hopeful that we can get Ø back in, loan again with purchase option.It makes the most financial sense, it would allow us to get Ramsdale (although we should not pay more than 20 million).
Also still hopeful the Willock deal falls through.
I want willock to succeed and do his best. Don’t think he will get chances at the Arsenal.
And that says it all really… Arsenal: where versatile, athletic, fast, direct, home grown, goal scoring midfielders don’t get a chance.
He’s played 78 games had his chance and hasn’t impressed, Newcastle is his level.
Yeah, he didn’t impress at all on loan when given the chance at regular first team EPL action (or at Arsenal in the Europa league for that matter)… Very good point Johnny boy
I thought he looked average when he played in the Europa league and apart from the goals he scored I have no idea if he actually played well at Newcastle.
Pepe scores goals, both for us and Lille before but apart from that does he actually play well?
Our problem isn’t a shortage of players that can put away chances but actually creating those chances, Willock in my opinion isn’t the answer
I guess Aaron Ramsey doesn’t impress you much either.
I wasn’t particularly a fan of Ramsey
I know…
Not even on Cup Final day….?
🙄
He didn’t get in the Newcastle first 11. He was dropped after 2 games. Became a super sub. If the answer to our issues is a player that hasn’t played well for us in 70 games that can’t pass and can’t play as a 10 or an 8 in our system – then I’d be surprised. I think the 25 mio is more useful
Joseph Willock, at Arsenal since 2017/18:
May be the managers in those 78 games have some role to play.
Sheff Utd bought Ramsdale for £18.5m a year ago. He has progressed since then, so £25m is probably about right for him. Don’t know why we don’t just get Onana for £5m and get a 35 year old as cover until January…
He has?
Relegated twice in two seasons. I don’t see the hype in him. He’d let in goals that are simple saves for other keepers
Onana is not interested in a move 2 arsenal. He would be unavailable until Nov. N 4 the entirety of the afcon tournament starting in jan
It’s time we buy him now. No more of this loan nonsense.
We have no money.
Club has dozens of players on pre-covid boomtime wages
Right, right. 75M spend so far.
And the conclusion is we have no money ….
We’re not getting Ramsdale for £20 million, even if he isn’t worth that. At this stage I think we are best off with an older head on a year’s contract and trying to bring in Onana too. Mat Ryan was an open goal and we completely missed.
I guess the rationale was to sign a first choice keeper rather than a back up for Leno and hence the reluctance to sign Matt Ryan. Problem now is that Leno is now fully aware of this intention and one wonders how focused he would be in the event that we can’t get Aaron Ramsdale.
Willock had loads of chances to impress but he never did much. Not sure the 7 goal streak really representative of his level. Weren’t quite a few close range from corners? Nice work but it doesn’t make you a game changing midfielder.
“We have ownership who are willing to invest in the team”….
It’s just a shame the person using the money is useless. The quicker Arsenal remove Edu the better.
Vinai aswell
Based on the money spent so far and the moves we are trying or rumoured to be trying YES the ownership is investing. You might dislike them but can’t be blind to the fact we are spending big this window
how dare you say anything good about the Kroenkes?
With them we have an upwords trajectory definitely
Even the devil has some good qualities. He was an angel in his past life I believe
He’s rumoured to spend big too
Hahahaha
I read an article a few weeks ago. Basically, since taking full ownership of the club, they bought Pepe during the first transfer window, and have spent decent money on transfers/wages ever since.
It’s hard to argue against that.
They dont put their own money in the club if thats what you think.
Almost no owner’s do though. Even Abrahamovich at Chelsea has structured any money he puts in as loans that will need to be repaid if he sells the club. There are lots of things that we can legitimately criticize the Kroenke’s for (namely being far too slow in recognizing the decline the past 5-6 years) but not just gifting the club hundreds of millions isn’t really a legitimate one. You can count on one hand the number of major European owners who do that.
Definitely not what I think but Newcastle fans would give their right arm for Mike Ashley “not to put his own money in their club” like our bad owners are doing.
We might not be Chelsea or city but Pepe, Saliba ant Tierney in one window plus Ceballos and Luiz was one good window. Partey last year? Look at this window so far. If we go on as rumoured with additions then you can’t fault the ownership on spending. We have mismanaged the funds made available previously
Yes we are spending but why its all been in the defensive half of the pitch when its up top where we really struggle is what is truly frustrating. Arteta’s desire to control games means we will still have the majority of the ball against everyone except City but we’ll struggle to turn 0-0’s into wins as we pass the ball repeatedly into harmless areas in the shape Tifo termed the ‘arsenal donut.’ Yes its a very tricky market that looks like it will explode into life for the next 2.5 weeks but spending 50m on a CB and loaning… Read more »
Based on the money spent so far and the moves we are trying or rumoured to be trying YES the ownership is investing That’s not a sign that the Kroenkes are investing. All it just means is that they and the rest of the board have given the club permission to spend more of its self-generated revenue. I came across a post by the Swiss Ramble (@SwissRamble) regarding ownership financing of last season’s EPL clubs between 2016-2020: Everton – £348 million Aston Villa – £337 million Chelsea – £255 million Brighton – £175 million Fulham – £150 million Wolves –… Read more »
We also have a Technical Director who has no idea what he is here for
One thing I really don’t understand is why Arsenal have spent so much effort in pursuing Ramsdale. He’s a pretty average keeper and terrible with the ball at his feet – at least Leno is a great shot-stopper. Surely Arsenal want a keeper that’s confident with the ball at his feet and Onana would be perfect. Spend the money on him, maybe it’s a risk having to wait until November for him to be able to play, but I’d rather have a risky two and a half months than four years of average shaky goalkeeping.
I know I am old fashioned on this but I don’t like these 186-190 cm goalkeepers like Ramsdale and Onana.
Give me a 197-201 cm tall guy any day if he’s good in goal. A Cech, Van der Sar. Those few goals they save you at full stretch are worth more than play with your feet in my book. Then you have some who are a bit decent with their feet too
I watch Man City and Liverpool, and I see keepers who are fully integrated into the team’s style, who are part of the eleven. I don’t think Cech or Van der Sar did that (or were asked to).
The entire Ramsdale deal seems utterly bizarre to me.
First, he’s not good enough for a top-six side. Second, he’s ridiculously overpriced at 30 million quid. And third, he has to come in as first-choice keeper for that money. So do we plan to sell Leno in this window?
Why didn’t we just sign Matt Ryan on a free as our back-up keeper? He’s better than Ramsdale.
Like I said: it’s bizarre.
Because he wanted to be a number one and not a back up
All is good then because we’re not a top 6 side. Get him in…
They did not sign Ryan because supposedly they want a UK player that will likely be first choice after Leno leaves end of the season…however the chasing of ramsdale has been a joke.
We all know they fkd up letting Martinez go and this ultimately is the knock on effect of that decision. Weeks wasted chasing a very average prospect massively over-valued to ultimately no outcome. Typical kroenke era Arsenal…
No brained…wtf
No brainer even
On point.
he’s not terrible with his feet he’s excellent
I suppose the reason would be that he (Ramsdale)has home grown status but 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
We’re going to panic buy a keeper or keep Runarsson and there’s not going to be any new signings to the midfield, is there?
Sign one player in the position we need at least two in. Spend big on a position none us thought we needed. Panic buy on the last day after a heavy defeat in the league.
The Arsenal way.
Whilst I would agree to some extent we didn’t need Ben White it’s clear that Arteta wanted what David Luiz gave us in someone who has a superb passing range and is comfortable on the ball. White gives us that, plus he’s actually quick.
We often looked like there was no game plan without Luiz last season so replacing him was actually pretty important in order to play the same way. Of course that’s not the only way to play if you have a working midfield… which we kind of didn’t last season.
If Ben White does what he’s hired for then I don’t have an issue with buying him or the money we spent but we still need to do something to our midfield. I also reckon we need to do something about our attacking options as I have a growing feeling it’ll bite us in the arse this season.
We’ve spent 75 million so far and it’s still not enough which is a sobering thought.
We are keeping Xhaka 😂😂 nobody in world football was prepared to pay more than 12 million for a 28 year old in his prime so we offer a new contract and big him up about he loves it here. We are a fecking shambles.
Even though the Xhaka deal didn’t go as we hoped I’m glad we didn’t sell him for scraps. Us giving players away for less than their value needs to end and it looks like we’ve finally started to remedy that.
His value is what other teams are prepared to pay, no more.
£15.5 (12+3.5) million for a midfielder with an estimated value of £19 million is not scraps though. That’s still 82% of his market value, which is certainly more than I usually get offered whenever I sell on eBay. Definitely not a bargain-bin discount as many are suggesting.
It’s not Roma’s fault Xhaka and Arsenal have seen his value drop way below the £40 million paid. I’m sure his numerous suspensions, passing errors, conceded penalties and our declining table finishes have more to do with that.
It’s find to make a stand but keeping him for years on a better contract is just silly. We’ll probably end up paying more in wages than whatever the difference was in valuations. I don’t think he’s terrible nut he needed to be moved on to improve the team.
Realistically we couldn’t afford 2 replace everybody. Methinks we should move elneny on and bring a starter in, ostensibly relegating xhaka to providing backup
If we can move Elneny on then I’m all for it. Same for Xhaka as back up to a better player. I hope it happens.
We can afford it. Kroenke is loaded.
He just be bothered to pay market prices for the top players. City and Chelsea’s owners can be bothered. That’s why they sign the top players and clean up every year. It’s not Rocket Science.
*can’t
Winning a football match is probably Thing To Do™ #1
I wish you didn’t trade mark that and sold the rights to arsenal.
Amazon documentary doing bigger numbers than Avengers.
So a bunch of excuses and a little bit of Kroenke propaganda. Arteta is a very sad man these days.
I can certainly see why some of us are getting upset and a little nervous but I think giving him this season will allow home to show us what he’s made of. The signings we have made look far better than the bits and bobs we’ve picked up in the last few markets. That’s already an improvement. Very slim I know but there’s a chance Lokonga could fit straight in a bit like Paddy did all those years ago at a similar age. Saka and ESR are only gonna improve and be more of a problem for the opposition. It’s… Read more »
Arteta cannot develop under the immense pressure of an EPL club of Arsenal’s stature.
He needed something more humble for starters to develop under the radar.
Still our main issue is the desicion making on the top, which will not go away even after the inevitable sucking of Arteta mid season
He has shown his ability when losing to a guy we sacked a year before. Any serious club would sack him then. No need to give him another season and what he did with Saliba is nothing less than disgraceful. Instead of developing young talent he blocks it – he did the same with Nelson and at the beginning with ESR – we all knew he was an extraordinary talent but he stumbled upon him, it was not planned for sure, he didn’t have other options. We’re going nowhere fast with mikel.
Transfers are hit and miss and Arteta should have achieved more than 8th with this team really. The 3 new signings look promising, even if defence wasn’t the absolute priority.
On the down side, the same manager signed, Cedric, Mari, Runnarsen and Willian.
…and by your assessment, Mari has been a terrible signing?
Not really; just an unnecessary one. With way too many squad members we cannot shift on high wages, I thought we needed quality and not quantity.
Mari was a bargain. How much of these decisions was down to Edu?
My warning was when City had a good look and decided against him.
I don’t think he’s amazing, just solid (slow) value for money. Him and Holding both need upgrading for us to get in the top four….
How about swapping Bellerin & Lacca for Trippier?
You’re trippiering man…
😂
Another over 30 high wage player you will never shift, not to mention his connections.
We could have got Denzel Dumfries for a bargain, not sure why we didn’t try that.
Because we can’t move on a new RB until we move Bellerin on, which is the real problem as no club is coming in for him. Inter were supposedly interested but they’re now going for Dumfries…
Well aren’t you just a real smartfrie
No, just watching transfer news mate
🤣
I think going in for Aouar rather than Odegaard or Madison is the best option in midfield. Take away talk of his poor attitude, Aouar is young, has a point to prove now and is the cheapest of the lot. That saves money for the other positions we desperately need. Why we let Ryan go is as sensible a decision as signing on Willian. That 30 million we have directed towards a GK would have been better directed towards a FW even. A central striker that brings the best qualities of Auba and Laca. Why aren’t we talking about Ollie… Read more »
Think we’ll get Abraham, who would be cheaper than OW. Villa wouldn’t sell him anyway….
What you’ve said of aour is applicable to guendouzi. Look what happened
Can we try to tempt keylor navas on loan since psg signed donna and their wage bill is over the top.
A simple: “Yes, we’re gonna sign more players” would suffice. He loves the sound of his own voice. Always an excuse with this fella. No accountability or leadership is ever shown by him.
It is a press conference. He is literally required to sit there and talk and talk. He doesn’t look like he particularly enjoys it with loads of journos trying to get him to say something which will inflame the fanbase and generate clicks for their websites. Look at how enraged everyone is about minor stuff.
Jesus. What world do people live in?
🎵We all live in a Perry Groves World. 🎵
I hope Arsenal begin to show visible signs of progress this season. Arteta’s time at the club – the FA cup win aside – has been largely underwhelming. I can’t seem to shake off the nagging feeling that Arsenal was a step too high for Arteta and Edu. Apart from the evident age profile of the signings and targets, nothing else fills me with confidence that the duo have a clear roadmap for the club. A more experienced team would have made the number one keeper position a toss up between Leno and Martinez last season. Now they are about… Read more »
Hard to understand why we have such a tough time offloading players. I’d be fine with going with a full youth movement, but until we can move out some of the older players that are well beyond their prime we may hang on for a Europa League spot, but won’t get to the point of seeing true potential realized over the next few years.
I think it’s due to wages and possibly Edu not having as well-established relationships in Europe as he had in Brazil. In terms of the wage budget, we are fifth highest if bonuses are included and thankfully its shrinking. Some of our back-up players (like Willian, Runarsson, Bellerin, Lacazette, Kola, Cedric) etc are on comparable or more wages to some regular starters for Barcelona (like Fati, Araujo, Pedri and ter Stegen). A lower wage bill is why Leicester and Spuds are able to get rid of their flops quicker. It is also why they have a better sales record in… Read more »
Three things:
Does anyone want to come to Arsenal?
There is zero interest in any of our ‘available’ players.
MA said he could convince players to join the squad.
Answers on a postcard…..
With the current squad we finish between 10th-12th this season. Even if deals are done, most of them should have been done during preseason so the new players have time to adjust, not at the end of the transfer window. So the first person to lose their job when it inevitably goes wrong this season should be Edu. Seems like Arsenal are just leaking “we’re interested in” to the media with no real intention of making signings, probably to pacify the fans. According to known reports, interested in Martinez, Abraham, Maddison, etc and no official bids made. Just poor poor… Read more »
I’m done with words from this guy. He’s had all summer and signed Ben White and given ESR a new deal and that – in terms of major 1st team signings – is about it. No attacking midfielder, no goalkeeper, no right back. A guy who was initially supposed to be a back up squad player is now someone everyone is praying becomes an automatic first choice so that we don’t all get lumbered on opening day with the Elneny and Xhaka Show again in midfield. It’s pitiful. Enough words. Arteta. I want to see positive results and good performances.… Read more »
Are we not even looking at right backs? Has Calum impressed Arteta so much that he’s putting his faith in him there? To me, its kinda shocking how Bellerin has turned from one of the best right backs in the world, to basically being third choice in a (last season) mediocre team. Was he so badly affected by injuries, that he went from being the fastest player around, to being slower than your average 33 year old fullback? Im sure he can turn things around, even at Arsenal. He really needs to find his mojo in this team…since it doesnt… Read more »
Perhaps the club are finally realising that if you pay for third tier prices you get third tier players. And it is really hard to move them in if you misidentified them and paid them first or second tier wages.
Or worse, let the CEO and/or football director, essentially executives make pricing decisions themselves.
Gazidis said ‘be excited’ and pushed through Lacazette and Mustafi
Raul said be excited and pushed through Saliba and Pepe
Josh said be excited and you can imagine the scene from Ford vs Ferrari about the red folder.
Perhaps the club are finally realising that if you pay for third tier prices you get third tier players. And it is really hard to move them in if you misidentified them and paid them first or second tier wages. Or worse, let the CEO and/or football director, essentially executives make pricing decisions themselves. Gazidis said ‘be excited’ and pushed through Lacazette and Mustafi Raul said be excited and pushed through Saliba and Pepe Josh said be excited and you can imagine the scene from Ford vs Ferrari about the red folder. Except when he got the folder, he put… Read more »
*move them out
* one caveat is that Gazidis started see xplainjng how we are coming out of our financial restrictions’ and started name dropping Messi I think this was back in 2016. Then no transfers happened, this ultimately led to people chanting against Wenger. Then he renegotiated Wenger a contract to restrict his power in the transfer market, which might explain Wenger reluctance to sign. But he loved the club and tried to make it work. Then Gazidis bought Lacazette, Mustafi and Xhaka on first tier wages, when they were really second/third tier wage players in the premier league. But they may… Read more »
And then of course Gazidis left and there was this power vacuum which Raul immeidtaely took up and played the same template as Gazidis but used experienced operators in the market who happened to be agents in order to boost his connection and in all likelihood a whole range of other things.