Arsenal during this Transfer Window has had one of the most talked-about Transfers made this season. While the club would not be in any form of European Competition this season have spent around £145m. While it has been one of the most spent Transfer Windows in the club’s history, Many have stated that the money used hasn’t been smart. Well within this article let’s take a look at the Arsenal Summer Transfer Window.
Towards the end of the previous season, many were worried about the condition of the club as players weren’t playing well. Many blamed it on the lack of experience of the Manager. While others blamed it on the weak mentality of the players within the squad. It was quite a scary period for the fans as the club had again finished in 8th place. While the higher-ups in the club stated that there would be quite the investment which will be given to the club. It must be stated by the end of the window, it can be said that Arsenal has spent quite a lot of money. This year their focus on the transfers was on trying to lay off players on high wages and invest immensely in the youth.
Since Wenger left, the club has had the approach of signing players who are experienced and aged while very underdeveloped youth. Due to this many of those transfers had no resale value and the club couldn’t recoup their money. This year Arsenal has taken to route to sign players with higher potential who could be sold for a higher resale value. While also having an added emphasis on signing English players due to the new reported rules concerning Brexit.
Departures From The Arsenal Summer Transfer Window
While Arsenal realising the need to offload multiple players due to their wages or for them to not be a part of the club’s plan. This season was filled with multiple season-long loan deals for multiple players. In the beginning, Arsenal allowed William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi on loan to Marseille. As David Luiz didn’t sign a contract extension with the club, before the start of the summer transfer window he became a free agent. Willian while realising that he was on higher wages which were affecting the club to move on transfers. He agreed to terminate his own contract while not receiving a single penny from the termination.
Arsenal realised that their current goalkeepers weren’t as experienced or talented as needed. Due to this both their backup, keepers were allowed to go on loan. Dejan Iliev was sent on loan to SKF Sered while Alex Runarsson was sent to OH Leuven. During the Transfer Deadline Day, both Reiss Nelson and Hector Bellerin were allowed to go on loan. Hector Bellerin joined Real Betis while Reiss Nelson joined Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. Lucas Torreira was allowed to go on loan to Fiorentina in the Seria A. The only player Arsenal had sold this season was Joe Willock to Newcastle United this window for £26.46m. The club also made sure to place a sell-on clause to receive added revenue on future Transfers
Which Players Did Arsenal Sign This Market?
This season Arsenal had 8 positions that did need a bit of strengthening and squad depth. These were CM, CAM, CDM, LB, RB, CB, GK and ST. Arsenal looks like they did their best in each position. There is one constant in each of the signings that none of them was over the age of 24. Towards the start of the season, the club Promoted Balogun to the first team. Following that Arsenal signed the left-back Nuno Tavares from Benfica for £7.20m. Thirdly Arsenal signed the Central-Defensive-Midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from RSC Anderlecht. These two signings while not big names seem to have a reason to be quite the steal depending on the potential reached by both.
Realising that there was a lack of a secondary Keeper to give Leno any challenge and to cover any injury. Arsenal decided to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United for £25.20m. Martin Ødegaard had played the second half of the previous season and had impressed the fans and the club themselves. Due to this, the club decided to buy the player on a permanent transfer for a fee of £31.50m. This helped Arsenal cover their attacking midfield issue of having a lack of depth in that position.
Last season it could be seen that Mikel Arteta wished for two Centre backs who were comfortable on the ball. Arsenal had signed Ben White from Brighton on a fee of £52.65m. This made him the most expensive signing this window. Finally on the Transfer Deadline Day, realising after letting Bellerin go there was a lack of Right backs in the club. Arsenal signed Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna for £16.74m who can play as a full-back on either side.
CONCLUSION:
This summer transfer cannot be judged right now as most of the players look to be future first-team players. While yes, it is the right step the club has approached in their signings. It must be said that the lack of signing a striker was the issue with this window. For being the club who spent the most in the league this season, this window in the Writer’s opinion is an 8.5/10.
