Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and managers across the globe are experiencing a first in a World Cup year and it could be beneficial for completing deals in the summer transfer window.
For the first time ever, football's biggest tournament will not be held in May, June or July as an announcement was made over a decade ago to move it to November and December later this year in order to combat the intense heat in Qatar during the summer months.
Whilst FIFA's decision to host the tournament in the winter instead of the summer will create havoc for Arsenal with regards to their fixture list at the start of next season, Arteta is in line to avoid a scenario that used to hamper Arsene Wenger's attempts to reinforce the squad during a World Cup year.
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus issue, Saka talks, two deals agreed - Arsenal summer transfer window state of play
"From my experience, the World Cup years have always been very quiet until the end of the World Cup, with no players reachable," the Frenchman said in 2014, as per the Mirror. "Everybody is focused in the country on their national team and there’s not a lot happening. People are away. I believe this year again you will have to wait until July 15 to start going.
"You are not the only one who decides when the business is done because it’s down to availability of players and the clubs who sell decide that."
To Wenger's point, Arsenal's transfer targets will be available earlier than usual in a World Cup year, but because of remaining qualifiers, UEFA Nations League fixtures and those all-important friendlies that have been taking place over the past week, it has led many deals being placed on hold until the international break is over.
For the Gunners, pretty much every single player being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium has been or is currently away on international duty so that may explain a lack of signings - even though the summer transfer window only officially opened on Friday (June 10).
But the good news is that the summer transfer window can soon get into full swing as the aforementioned UEFA Nations League group games, World Cup play-offs, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and friendly matches are to conclude on Tuesday night, thus giving teams the green light to kick start their business.
With that said, here are eight deals Arsenal can look to speed up as soon as the international break is over.
Gabriel Jesus
As Brazil did not face Argentina in a friendly on June 11, Arsenal could now accelerate a deal for Gabriel Jesus as the Manchester City star is Mikel Arteta's first-choice option to fill the void that will be created by Alexandre Lacazette in attack when his contract officially expires at the end of the month.
The 25-year-old did put any talk of his future on hold until after Brazil's games against South Korea and Japan: "I'm looking to see what's best for me and above all, for my career," he said last weekend. "From Tuesday, we’ll see what is the best."
Now those fixtures are out of the way, maybe the Gunners can press ahead by reaching an agreement with Man City over a transfer fee before sorting out personal terms and a medical for Gabriel Jesus. They'll have to do so quickly as Chelsea are said to be watching developments closely.
Youri Tielemans
However, the Gunners will have to wait until after next Tuesday at the latest to push through a potential £25m move for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans as Belgium - after facing Wales on Saturday evening - are in UEFA Nations League action against Poland.
As Tielemans has one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium he could be available for a cut-price fee and he's not ruled out leaving the club this summer: "That is not out of the question. I feel very good at Leicester, I was welcomed with open arms from day one.
"I give everything for the club until the last day. But of course, you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way."
Aaron Hickey
The same applies to versatile defender Aaron Hickey as Scotland conclude their international fixtures away at Armenia on Tuesday following a UEFA Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland.
As previously reported by football.london, Edu is hopeful of securing an £18million deal for the 19-year-old Bologna defender whose versatility by operating on both flanks means he can act as cover for both Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu should he join the Gunners this summer.
Matt Turner
Matt Turner to Arsenal might be the worst-kept transfer secret in the world. As reported by football.london , the plan has been to confirm the signing of the New England Revolution goalkeeper when he flies over to complete a medical this month.
And in an update provided by Turner himself, Arsenal are on course to confirm their first signing of the summer transfer window within the next fortnight as the USMNT stopper is due to join his pregnant wife in London around June 19th - although he can't be registered until July 1.
"My official release [from Revolution] is the 24th June," he said when speaking to Fox Sports earlier in the month. "I think the Revs have games on the 19th June and then the 26th. So, I would be available for selection for the 19th but not the 26th. My flight's booked for right after that game on the 19th."
Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal's most expensive signing ever looks set for a departure this summer after instructing his agent to find him a new club. Those plans can be stepped up as Nicolas Pepe has completed his international commitments with Ivory Coast - although he didn't feature in either Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zambia or Lesotho.
Nuno Tavares
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are considering sending Nuno Tavares out on loan next season to aid his development. This could be dependent on the club signing Hickey, but nevertheless, an exit must wait until the left-back wraps up with the Portugal U21's and their 2023 UEFA European Championships qualification campaign.
Lucas Torreira
It's no secret the midfielder wants to Arsenal on a permanent basis this summer. However, Lucas Torreira may not get his wish to join Fiorentina following a successful loan spell as the two clubs can't agree on a fee. But as Uruguay played their final game of the international break on Saturday night, perhaps his future can be sorted shortly.
Daniel Ballard
After impressing on loan at Millwall last season, Daniel Ballard is available to leave Arsenal on a permanent transfer this summer football.london understands. A scorer for Northern Ireland against Kosovo on Thursday, the defender can sort out his next move from Sunday.
Other deals
Of course, Arsenal's transfer business may not end with signing Gabriel Jesus, Tielemans, Turner and Hickey or selling Pepe, Tavares, Torreira and Ballard - if they do manage to complete all eight deals - as Gianluca Scamacca, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruben Neves, Serge Gnabry, Tammy Abraham, Cody Gakpo, Raphinha and Richarlison just a few names linked.
Just as important as player signings and sales are for Arsenal this summer is tying Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli down to new deals as their contracts are currently set to expire in 2024. Talks can begin with the latter as of right now as Brazil's international fixtures have been played.
But from next week talks can continue with Saliba and Saka as they will be done with international duty on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
