Mikel Arteta has gone on another remarkable transfer spending spree to get Arsenal back to the top.
They have already splashed out £65m on Kai Havertz, will smash their record with the £105m deal for Declan Rice and are set to complete a £40m deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timnber.
It is a £210m message of intent - and is unlikely to stop there with Romeo Lavia still in their sights - to show they mean business in going one better in next season’s title race with Manchester City. But Arsenal are also blowing the rest of their Premier League rivals out of the water as they were the biggest spenders in the summer of 2021 with an outlay in excess of £160m and over £130m 12 months ago.
That underlines the backing from owners Stan and Josh Kroenke who have backed Arteta to the hilt in the last few windows as they believe they have the right manager and set-up for long term success. It has certainly sent shockwaves throughout the Premier League as they beat off competition from City to sign Rice from West Ham because Arteta and sporting director Edu had sold Arsenal’s vision to the England midfielder.
Timber’s deal is worth around £35m plus just below £5m in add-ons and the Dutch defender arrives from Ajax with a reputation of being able to play right back, right sided centre half and also to be able to step into midfield from defence. Havertz also arrives from Chelsea with a huge reputation, having scored the winner in the 2021 Champions League final and has the versatility to play in several positions.
Arsenal remain interested in Southampton midfielder Lavia but are not alone in chasing him, although further deals are almost certainly likely to depend on outgoings. Thomas Partey is a target for two Italian teams - including Juventus - and Saudi Arabia clubs and if he goes that could free up extra space and cash which is also the same for Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
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Arteta laid the foundations in 2021 with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Martin Odegaard on a permanent deal. Then they added a winning mentality with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last year. This summer is about adding the final pieces of the jigsaw: trying to go even younger with the signings to reduce the average age of the squad so they grow together. Also, adding versatile players who can play different positions.
And leadership and winning experiences. Rice is a leader for club and country. Havertz has been a huge player for Chelsea and Germany and enjoyed success.
Timber epitomises the versatility and adaptability needed. Arsenal’s biggest hiccup last season was losing William Saliba in the run-in. They could not replace him and that was where they blew up.
Now they have proper options and alternatives. They have a squad ready to challenge and equipped for the extra challenge of Champions League football.
