‘Arsenal striker and midfielder signings could both collapse – I had a friend call me’
Arsenal fans have endured a stuttering start to the summer window after finishing runners-up in the Premier League for the third consecutive season.
Martin Zubimendi has long been close to joining but is yet to finalise his move to the Emirates Stadium, while Brentford star Christian Norgaard is expected to join for a modest fee of around £15million after add-ons.
However, the main focus for supporters is a striker – with Mikel Arteta‘s side lacking the firepower in recent seasons to run Man City and Liverpool close.
Andrea Berta joined Arsenal as sporting director in March after a hugely-successful 12-year spell with Atletico Madrid.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the “jury’s out” on Berta as fans are not happy with his impact.
Arsenal told to ‘hurry up’ as Berta slammed
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted there is “no doubt” Arsenal have the money to do deals – and must “hurry up” in this summer window.
The Gunners finished 10 points adrift of Liverpool last term and have not won a major trophy since 2020, with Arteta likely to come under pressure next season if that doesn’t change.
Wyness insisted a new striker has “always been the issue” for Arsenal.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I had a friend call me in fact this morning, just asking me about how Arsenal’s new sporting director was getting on, are the fans happy?
“I had to answer and say, well, look, until transfers get finalised and done, nobody’s happy at Arsenal right now – the jury’s out as we speak.
“It has been a slow start and I did expect some business to get done in that first mini transfer window we had.
“We know the striker has always been the issue. The whole world knows that Arsenal need a striker and that still hasn’t been done.
“Zubimendi, I thought that would be a great one for them. But again, he’s got track record of not going at the last minute as well with other deals.
“I hope they can get it across the line. A striker and Zubimendi would be the start of a good summer.
“There is money there. I’ve got no doubt about it that the money is there and I think they will spend it this summer but I just wish they’d hurry up and get some players in.”
Arsenal make Martinelli transfer decision
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (25 June) that Arsenal are not planning to sell Gabriel Martinelli this summer despite interest from German giants Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-old is reportedly a target for Vincent Kompany‘s Bundesliga winners this summer.
Arsenal are themselves looking for a new left-sided winger to provide competition and potentially upgrade on Martinelli as they look to make a leap in their quest for silverware.
However, it is believed selling the Brazil international is not currently on the agenda for Gunners chiefs.
For more Arsenal and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.