Arsenal have had a terrific 2022 summer transfer window so far. But apparently, they are not yet done as the manager and the recruitment department are still keeping their options open as they intend to bolster the squad even further.
The Gunners have enjoyed a bright start to their 2022-23 season. They won all 5 of their pre-season games in an emphatic fashion. This was followed up with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace to kickstart their league campaign.
Furthermore, Mikel Arteta’s squad has been bolstered by 5 new signings. Arsenal also retained William Saliba after three consecutive loan spells.
Marquinhos
Arsenal’s first acquisition of the transfer window was Brazilian winger Marquinhos. The Gunners paid Sao Paulo a fee of €3.5 million for the transfer.
Arsenal have reached full agreement with São Paulo to sign Brazilian winger Marquinhos, born in 2003. Done deal, set to be signed – contract until June 2027. Fee will be around €3.5m guaranteed. 🇧🇷 #AFC
…and Arsenal are also preparing their opening bid for Gabriel Jesus.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 15, 2022
The extent to which Marquinhos will be involved in the first team dynamics remains unclear. Arsenal already have Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe and even Gabriel Jesus as options for the wide role.
Marquinhos was involved in Arsenal’s pre-season campaign but recently turned out for the u-21 side. The 19-year-old scored once and set up another as the Gunners beat Manchester United’s u-21 team by a 3-1 margin. An interesting option would be to retain the Brazilian with the u-21 team, with an option to call him up to the first team as and when required.
Matt Turner
Arsenal also announced an agreement for Matt Turner. The American shot-stopper was signed for a reported fee of £7.5 million. Turner’s signing from New England Revolution was completed back in the 2022 January transfer window itself but confirmed by Arsenal only when the ongoing summer transfer window opened.
With Bernd Leno’s departure, Matt Turner is expected to take up the deputy role to Aaron Ramsdale.
Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira was announced as Arsenal’s third summer signing. The Portuguese playmaker had a phenomenal season with FC Porto, registering 7 goals and 16 assists in 39 games (stats via transfermarkt).
Arsenal paid a fee of £30 million up front, with another £4 million payable as variables. Unfortunately, Arteta could not give Vieira any playing time in the pre-season. The Spaniard earlier revealed that the midfielder was nursing a bone injury in the foot, which has delayed his debut for Arsenal. Vieira is closing in on his return to football, and could be on the bench for Arsenal’s next league game against Leicester City.
Fabio Vieira plays a role that closely resembles Martin Odegaard’s duties. The Norwegian, recently announced as the club captain, is a sure starter under Arteta. Vieira could be used on the wings or even as a centre-forward, if necessary. However, he will mostly be a squad player as Arsenal look to compete in England and Europe this season.
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal’s 4th signing marked their biggest purchase of the window so far. The Gunners paid a handsome £45 million to sign the Brazilian forward from Manchester City.
Jesus hit the ground running, scoring 7 goals in 5 pre-season games. Arteta has experimented with the 2019 Copa America winner as a striker and on the flanks too. Jesus also put in an impressive performance against Crystal Palace on PL Matchday 1.
Arsenal had struggled in recent seasons without a proper 9. In the 2021-22 campaign, both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to provide Arteta with regular goals. The signing of Gabriel Jesus represents a step in the right direction, as Arsenal’s attack has looked more fluid and dangerous so far.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Arsenal signed their second player from Manchester City days after they signed Jesus. Versatile Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko was signed for a fee of £32 million.
Zinchenko has helped to shore up the defence by providing a reliable option in the left-back slot. Keiran Tierney has struggled with injury issues, while Nuno Tavares was loaned to the French side Olympique Marseille. The 25-year-old Ukrainian registered his first assist for Arsenal, by setting up Gabriel Martinelli for the first goal against Crystal Palace.
Zinchenko can also play in the midfield effectively. This enhances Arteta’s options and squad depth too.
See More:
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Looking Ahead
As a result of the various signings, Arsenal look a much stronger and more complete unit than they did last season. However, Mikel Arteta hinted that the club still had work left to do in the ongoing transfer window.
Asked whether Arsenal are looking to sign any new players in the 2022 summer transfer window, Arteta replied:
“We are going to try, There are a few things that we planned, and if we could do them it would be great.”
“But now it’s [a case of] work with the players that we have, we are in the middle of the season already, and the focus should be with the players that we have to get the best out of them.”
🗣 "We are going to try. If we can do them great but now it's work with the players we have, the focus should be with the players we have."
Mikel Arteta avoids naming any potential transfer targets for Arsenal in the weeks remaining in the window pic.twitter.com/Xp4GipR1vZ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 5, 2022
One of Arsenal’s major objectives should be to offload players first. Now that the Gunners have a complete squad, the fringe players who are unlikely to get any minutes can be moved on. Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi have already departed, but there are more players who could be moved.
This list includes Nicolas Pepe, Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Florian Balogun, and Reiss Nelson.
The Gunners are still regularly linked with players in the transfer market.
Arsenal have used Ben White in the right-back slot in the absence of Takehiro Tomiyasu. Portuguese full-back Cedric Soares could be sold to bring in a new player in that position. This could allow White to be reinstituted to his preferred centre-back position.
Arsenal are also looking to add options to their attack. Arteta mentioned that Emile Smith Rowe can play 4 positions, although the player believed that he is better suited to play as a midfielder.
If Pepe does leave, Bukayo Saka would be Arsenal’s only left-footed right-winger. The Gunners have been linked with several players who can compete for the right-wing slot with Saka. This list includes names like Jarrod Bowen and Cody Gakpo.
The Gunners have also been linked with a move for another midfield signing. The likes of Sesko Fofana, Arthur Melo and Youri Tielemans have been rumoured, with no solid links yet.
Are you happy with Arsenal’s transfer window so far? Are there any more players you would like to see at the Emirates Stadium before the window ends? Who should the Gunners sell to clear up space in the team? Let us know in the comments.
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