Despite missing out on a UEFA Champions League spot last season, Arsenal are determined to make amends next season, starting with a successful transfer window.
With Alexandre Lacazette leaving the club for Lyon on the expiry of his contract, Arsenal need to find a new striker this summer. Ultimately, a lack of a clinical goalscorer last season played a part in the Gunners missing out on the top four, and Mikel Arteta won't be wanting the same issue next season.
As well as looking for new forwards, midfielders and potentially even a new defender, it's not just incomings which are needed this summer. The Gunners are guilty of carrying a large amount of deadwood, and if Arteta could get a couple of fringe players off the books this summer, it could fund a good transfer window for Arsenal.
READ MORE: Eddie Nketiah delivers nine-word verdict on new Arsenal contract after emphatic Gabriel defence
So, who could Arsenal sign this summer and how can we expect Arteta's starting XI to look when the 2022 transfer window closes? Let's find out.
Arsenal's 2022/23 squad predicted after summer transfer window
To find out what the Gunners squad could look like at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, we used Football Manager 2022 to predict their incomings, outgoings and the future starting XI. Here's what happened!
Transfers in: £118 million (£123m)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) - £39.5 million
- Houssem Aouar (Lyon) - £22.5 million (rising to £27.5m)
- Christoph Baumgartner (Hoffenheim) - £22.5 million
- Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) - £16.75 million
- Stefano Sensi (Inter Milan) - £11.25 million
- Maximilian Wober (RB Salzburg) - £5 million
The Gunners broke the £100m barrier in the 2022 summer transfer window, bringing in six new players including four new central midfielders. The biggest signing was to take care of their striker issue, with proven Premier League forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin arriving from Everton for £39.5m.
Fellow Premier League player Douglas Luiz arrived from Aston Villa for £16.75m, whilst long-term target Houssem Aouar signed for £22.5m, rising to £27.5m. Christoph Baumgartner and Stefano Sensi were the other two midfielders to sign, whilst RB Salzburg centre-back Maximilian Wober arrived for £5m.
Transfers out: £72 million
The Gunners had a major clear-out in the 2022/23 summer transfer window, with eight players leaving on permanent deals as £72m was made through player sales. The biggest departure was Matteo Guendouzi to Marseille, with the midfielder getting his move away for £20m.
Two right backs departed in Cedric and Hector Bellerin, with the former being sold to Everton for £14.25m, potentially rising to £15.75m. Bellerin secured his move away to Real Betis as his loan move was made permanent for £14m.
Reiss Nelson transferred to Southampton for £10m and Lucas Torreira went to River Plate for £9m, whilst Pablo Mari and Konstantinos Mavropanos were sold for small fees.
Folarin Balogun, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Omar Rekik, Austun Trusty and James Hillson all departed for the season on loan deals in an effort to rack up some minutes elsewhere. So, how did Arsenal line up in their first game after the 2022/23 transfer window? Let's take a look.
Arsenal's XI at the beginning of the 2022/23 season predicted
In Arteta's first game following the closure of the transfer window, the Gunners started two of their new signings, with Calvert-Lewin leading the line and Sensi playing alongside Partey in midfield. Aouar, Luiz and Baumgartner all made the bench as Arsenal won 3-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Arsenal's line-up in the first game of the 2022/23 season was as follows: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, White, Tierney; Sensi, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe; Calvert-Lewin.
Overall, Football Manager 2022 predicts that Arsenal's focus in the upcoming transfer window could be to strengthen the core of their squad whilst getting rid of a selection of fringe players as they had a net spend of £42m in the simulation. If this was to be the transfer window Arsenal have this summer, many fans would see it as a success financially along with adding plenty of quality depth to the squad.
Would you be happy with these Arsenal transfers? let us know in the comments below!
