Arsenal may not have signed anyone during the January transfer window but that has not stopped the rumour mill from continuing to predict what might happen for the Gunners in the upcoming summer.
Mikel Arteta has already confirmed that Arsenal chose not to invest during the winter window because they were unable to get the players, they deemed good enough to improve the squad. A refreshing change from the overspending and panic buying of the past that saw players like Shkodran Mustafi and Andre Santos, to name an example of each, join the club.
“We did what we believed was the right thing to do. The squad composition and contracts were catching up, be fair with players who haven’t had a lot of minutes,” said Arteta.
“We had a clear plan of what we can do but then it has to be doable. Edu and his team have done a great job. We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons to get a player on board are not the right ones, we didn’t do it.”
The ‘clear plan’ as Arteta describes it, is obviously focused around the removal of surplus talent and the improvement of quality in the side.
Despite no incomings, Arsenal let go of Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on permanent deals.
Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny are facing the possibility of being the next departures from the senior core of the squad. The Egyptian sees his deal with the club expire at the end of the season.
Whilst football.london understands that Xhaka is open to moving to Roma in the summer if a deal can be done. The Italian side failed with bids for the Swiss international in the last inter-season transfer window, however are expected to return again in 2022.
Should these pair leave, technical director Edu has the job of ensuring the club is well prepared for the eventuality. Attempts to bring in Juventus’ Arthur Melo this January are evidence that the club is open to strengthening with a fresh face.
Arsenal will have the scope to invest in midfield, especially with money secured from the sale of Xhaka.
However, adding further depth could be dealt with through a money-saving technique the club is very familiar with already. The promotion from within of player impressing in the youth team.
Charlie Patino has already made his debut for the senior side and scored in the League Cup win over Sunderland.
Goal’s Charles Watts reported via his YouTube channel in September the club has no plans to send the England youth international on loan.
“Arsenal really really rate Patino. As it stands, he’s not really earmarked as one to potentially go out on loan, he’s more to follow the Bukayo Saka path in pretty much going straight into the first team – that’s the plan for Patino as it stands,” Watts said.
“Sources close to him are absolutely delighted with the way his progress is being managed so far. He’s very, very happy at Arsenal. He doesn’t want to leave, so I can’t see any sort of problems with him signing a new contract.”
Therefore, Patino can follow the paths of Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka to join integrate fully into the senior setup
Furthermore, Miguel Azeez has returned to the club and will complete the season with Kevin Betsy’s under 23s side. Azeez is highly thought of and the dynamic central midfielder could provide further options for Arteta unless a second loan move in the summer is deemed a more appropriate next step.
Edu has options internally and externally to deal with the upcoming changes to the squad but who Arsenal will choose to invest in remains unknown at this point.
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