The summer of 2021 was seen as an opportunity for Arsenal to strengthen their squad as they pushed toward Europe. Six signings were brought in to boost Mikel Arteta’s hopes and ultimately the return to European football was a success.
However, Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification by a single victory with the end-of-season run-in ultimately proving pivotal in the race. Thomas Partey was injured against Crystal Palace and the Gunners midfield suffered.
Looking back to the previous summer transfer window and central midfield was seen as a priority. The club pushed to sign Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo, but Juventus eventually won the race. Albert Sambi Lokonga was signed but seen very much as one for the future.
READ MORE: Albert Sambi Lokonga set for Arsenal stay amid loan talk and Youri Tielemans transfer interest
The club failed to bring in the upgrade that the midfield needed and, in the end, despite qualifying for the Europa League, could have got even more. In January, a lack of any senior signings also showed to be an error, with their north London rivals pipping them to fourth having brought in Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski.
Arsenal cannot afford to repeat the same mistake this summer and the news that the Gunners' interest in Youri Tielemans is ‘cooling’ according to Goal, is a worry. Arsenal are focusing on other targets for the moment.
Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha and Lisandro Martinez are bigger priorities after the midfield acquisition of Fabio Vieira was secured. There is plenty of time left in the window and the interest in Tielemans disappearing gradually does not mean a midfielder won’t be brought in, but it now might be later.
As discussed in our transfer timeline piece, any deviation from the priority targets, of which Tielemans was one, then it would add several weeks to any potential alternative move. With so much focus on the aforementioned trio, this will only be exacerbated.
Yes, the Gunners have plenty of midfield options now with Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga, in addition to Martin Odegaard and Vieira plus the youth options too. However, the drop-off from Partey remains significant.
Adding more quality to the central midfield could be the difference between achieving the higher targets compared to last season and stagnation. The additions in the forward line and defence will be massively welcome, but we must not underestimate the job needed in the midfield.
