Arsenal often throw up a surprise or two during a window. The club have become somewhat masters of this in recent years with both incomings and outgoings sneaking up on supporters before they’ve had a chance to debate, rage, praise and quickly search up a YouTube compilation or two.
Mat Ryan famously was announced on the Arsenal website as a new January loan signing without any hint at any outlet that a deal was happening. Only days before Fabio Vieira signed last summer did it emerge his move to north London was on and until only a week ago Jurrien Timber was revealed to be a priority target without any build-up prior to the window’s opening.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at three names of players who could be shock signings. Although there might be some historic links to the upcoming trio, they’ve certainly not been mentioned substantially this summer with the focus very much elsewhere.
Amadou Onana
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana was a target of Arsenal in the summer window of 2022 whilst at Lille. However, no move materialised and instead, it was Everton who secured the £33million move for the player.
Despite helping the Toffees remain in the Premier League on the final day, Onana is reportedly open to an exit from Merseyside. Arsenal meanwhile could allow both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey to leave during this summer window.
With links to the likes of Declan Rice and Romeo Lavia strong, you’d imagine there’d be a need to add one more option to the fold to numerically strengthen ahead of a new Premier League season. Onana, despite little-to-no mention in the Arsenal sphere so far this summer, could become a key focus after an impressive debut season in England.
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Mikel Merino
Sticking with the midfield, with this area being the most likely for heavy strengthening, Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad could be something of a left-field option for Mikel Arteta. The Spanish international and one of La Real’s captains has already spent time in England with Newcastle after a switch from German side Borussia Dortmund.
Now 27 having spent five years back in Spain in San Sebastien, Merino has developed into one of La Liga’s best central midfielders and ranks as one of the best creators from the middle third, chipping in with nine assists last season putting him in the 98th percentile according to FBRef for the metric.
Defensively sound too, it would be a strong investment with plenty of his best years still to come. Sociedad are shrewd negotiators however and he’d be sure to cost a serious figure.
Owen Wijndal
Lastly, although it looks like Kieran Tierney could stay at the club with interest from Newcastle United having gone very quiet of late, you can never rule out a potential twist. With that in mind, looking at a left-back that could make the switch led me to Owen Wijndal of Ajax who spent a solid year in Amsterdam after a switch from AZ Alkmaar.
Another full-back whose ability on the ball is strong, Wijndal offers a great option in replacing Tierney with a player on the rise. With Arsenal looking confident to sign his teammate Jurrien Timber, there’s also the potential of using the good relationship between the clubs to sort another move.
As mentioned, however, this deal would be reliant on an exit. As of now, that is not on the cards.
