‘Spend what they want’ – Expert reviews Arsenal transfer plans
Arsenal can almost spend whatever they want this summer but they will have to be wary of a potential punishment.
Mikel Arteta‘s side finished second for a third consecutive season last term, whilst also falling short of a place in the Champions League final to eventual victors PSG.
Last season exposed some glaring weaknesses in the North London side’s starting XI, without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, the lack of depth in forward positions was a major problem.
What’s more, Gabriel Martinelli’s poor form highlighted the need for another winger, and with several players departing, upgrades were desperately need.
Arsenal fended off interest from Real Madrid to secure Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke was signed from Chelsea, with his versatility across the frontline a major bonus for Arteta.
However, the marquee deal of the summer was Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival from Sporting CP. Gunners fans have been desperate to see their side sign a new striker, and they got their wish.
Arsenal unlikely to make more additions despite funds
This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Despite having the funds available to them, Arsenal are unlikely to make many more additions this summer.
The Gunners have largely addressed their areas of need, although that doesn’t mean that they will skip out on signing a player they want if the opportunity arises.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley explained: “You just look at those players that they’ve signed and those positions that those players are in.
“I think it’s unlikely we’ll see them go big again this summer because there’s a striker, there’s a defensive midfielder in there, there’s a keeper, which needed sorting out. I think that’s a decent outlay for them and it’s affordable.
“I don’t see them going bigger, but as always, don’t rule it out because those clubs, really in that elite end of the Premier League, they can almost spend what they want to a degree within a particular cycle.
“The other side of that is you’ve got to be careful how that tracks over three to four years, unless you’re Chelsea, you’re not going big every single summer, you’re doing it in pockets, which I think is what Arsenal are looking at here.”
Leandro Trossard receives Premier League offers
After finishing as Arsenal’s second-highest scorer last term, Leandro Trossard was expected to sign a new contract with the club.
The Belgian has become an integral part of the Gunners’ squad, even if his appearances in the team’s starting XI have become less frequent.
https://x.com/Plettigoal/status/1950200664199471450However, talks of a new deal have gone cold, and it has been reported by Florian Plettenberg that Trossard has “two concrete offers” from Premier League clubs.
Should the winger depart, it remains to be seen if that will prompt Arsenal to dip back into the transfer market in search of a replacement.