Arsenal enjoyed a stellar pre-season as preparations continue for the Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace on Friday.
Technical director Edu has been hard at work off the pitch completing five new signings with Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos all joining the Gunners. The club's transfer business takes Arsenal's spending well over the £100million mark for a second successive summer.
Mikel Arteta hinted that the Gunners are still active in the transfer market following the 6-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday. Arsenal are looking to raise funds by moving on a number of fringe players, but Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Paul Merson have been impressed with the Gunners' business so far.
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Arteta's side face Patrick Vieira's Palace side in the Premier League curtain raiser on Friday evening, with a number of new signings set to feature in the team. Carragher and Merson both believe the signings made by Arsenal could see them challenge for a top four spot.
Speaking to Football Daily, Carragher said: “I think the signings Arsenal have got are really good. Zinchenko coming in, Tierney is always injury-prone, so you have to bring someone in there.
“I think Jesus is a great signing. Look what Arsenal have done in pre-season, I know it’s pre-season games, but to beat Chelsea by that scoreline was pretty impressive.”
Jesus scored his first Arsenal hat-trick in the win over Sevilla as the Gunners now head into the game against Palace full of confidence, having beaten Premier League rivals Chelsea 4-0 in pre-season as well. Merson revealed he spoke with Edu earlier this summer during an Elton John concert at Vicarage Road, discussing what was said and how Arsenal are shaping up for the new season.
""I can’t tell you that [what was discussed]. He [Edu] was talking to me in confidence, we were at Elton John," Merson told Sky Sports.
"I think they’ve bought well, they want to bring a couple more players in, they could have a good season Arsenal; try get into the top four, then small steps. I think top four will be the aim, they’ve bought well, got young players in the team, they’ve got a lot of games and season under the belt. I don’t think there’s many excuses for Arsenal, they’ve got a good little team at the moment."
Speaking on Jesus, Merson added: "I thought it was a great signing, he’s a good player, he misses chances but I like players who get into positions - he doesn’t hide. He’s a centre-forward and likes scoring goals, they needed someone like Gabriel Jesus, Nketiah you need more than one centre-forward and I think Jesus ticks the box. He’s a major, major coup for Arsenal."
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