Arsenal have beefed up strongly this summer as manager Mikel Arteta demanded firm reinforcements after missing out on a top four spot last season to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur. They will still compete in Europe this season through the Europa League and as a result have brought in some key players to provide adequate squad depth to Arteta.
Further on, the Gunners are determined to finish in the top-four this season and have invested accordingly. Arsenal have developed a pattern for their transfer windows in recent years bringing in young players, thus significantly reducing the average age of the squad. Last summer as well, their spending of £150 million was done on six players aged under 25. They have continued the trend this summer, with the eldest of their signings Gabriel Jesus being 25.
Arsenal record heavy losses in sales with only £20 million earned
Arsenal began their summer business with a bang after welcoming Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus for £45 million. Arteta needed a striker after the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and Alexandre Lacazette who rejoined Lyon for free this summer after his contract expired. The club’s sporting director Edu Gasper rolled up his sleeves and grabbed Jesus who had 58 goals and 38 assists to his name in 159 Premier League appearances with City.
However, their business with the defending Premier League champions wasn’t concluded there as Arsenal then acquired their versatile Ukrainian player Oleksandr Zinchenko. The 25-year-old’s robust versatility allows him to operate as a left back as well as a midfielder. Arteta had plans to use the Ukrainian in the midfield after his acquisition for £32 million.
Some more young talent arrived at the Emirates in playmaker Fabio Vieira, Sau Paulo winger Marquinhos and MLS goalkeeper Matt Turner. However, the concerning matter for the Gunners was their departures. While they spent a remarkable amount of £120 million, only £20 million was recouped.
Their sales didn’t go as planned since the highest player sold was Matteo Guendouzi for £10 million. It was then followed by the selling of Luca Torreira for a nominal fee of £5.5 million, Bern Leno for £3 million and Konstantinos Mavropanos for £2 million. Further on, Hector Bellerin terminated his contract on the deadline to join FC Barcelona, and Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares and Ainsley Maitland-Niles left on loans.
INs:
Gabriel Jesus- £45 million
Oleksandr Zinchenko- £32 million
Fabio Vieira- £31.5 million
Matt Turner- £5.7 million
Marquinhos- £3 million
OUTs:
Matteo Guendouzi- £10 million
Lucas Torreira- £5.5 million
Bernd Leno- £3 million
Konstantinos Mavropanos- £2 million
Hector Bellerin- free transfer
Alexandre Lacazette- free transfer
Loans:
Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Pablo Mari, Auston Trusty, Runar Alex Runarsson