It is unlikely that Arsenal will strengthen the squad before the new season starts with less than five days remaining now before the Gunners travel to Selhurst Park. Pre-season preparations have helped integrate the five new signings bar Fabio Vieira who has yet to make an appearance due to a foot injury.
Yet despite the number of deals done, work is still needed. This was recognised by Mikel Arteta after Arsenal's comfortable 6-0 win over Sevilla and plans to invest had not changed.
“We’re still hoping to do something else if the market allows us to do that,” Arteta said. “You've seen some movement in the other direction in the last few days, so we want to get the perfect balance and the plan we wanted right at the beginning. Whether we can accomplish that or not is another story, but I’m happy with where we are now.”
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The movement that Arteta refers to alludes to the outgoings of Arthur Okonkwo and Nuno Tavares who have both left on loan. Folarin Balogun and Bernd Leno are also close to summer exits although only the keeper faces a permanent departure.
This has been the clear blockade for Arsenal to further invest in the squad. There remain areas that need a boost in quality but they are still congested with surplus players.
At right-wing, Nicolas Pepe and Reiss Nelson are behind Bukayo Saka. Arsenal’s early pursuit of Raphinha showed clearly there’s intent on bringing a player in there but this late in the window without these players leaving it could block a transfer.
Midfield has been a position that many felt would be an early area of investment. Youri Tielemans has been persistently linked with the club for some time and football.london understands the interest in the player remains.
However, considering the presence of Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in addition to Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga, bringing another in before any leave appears a problem. However, there is a strong argument there shouldn’t be a problem.
Both Maitland-Niles and Torreira have one year left on their deals. Their combined yearly wage according to Spotrac would see Arsenal ‘invest’ around £6.6 million to pay their wages until the end of the upcoming season.
Tielemans remains on the market for a reasonable price considering his deal too ends in June. For Arsenal, should the pair above stay should that £6.6m block the chance of adding Tielemans?
For me, it is a no. Arsenal could miss out on the Belgian in the future and kick themselves over a small figure blocking the way to the 25-year-old.
Opportunities may arise for Torreira and Maitland-Niles before the window closes, even if Arsenal agree to cover a portion or all of their salary. But for the benefit of the club’s ambitions, paying the small amount to open the door for further quality seems a frustratingly clear no-brainer.
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