Arsenal managed to impress the Premier League in the window with the early transfer business for players who have excelled and elevated the Gunners into many conversations for a top-of-the-table surprise. However, since the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko, it has gone silent.
Arsenal have not made any further additions to their squad since amid a desire for the club to reinforce both the forward line and central midfield. The loss of Thomas Partey at the end of last season was a contributing factor to missing out on Champions League football.
Links to both Pedro Neto and Youri Tielemans have persisted in the latter stages of the window. Yet neither presents a likelihood of a move at this stage unless something changes in the final week of the window.
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football.london understands Edu is in no rush regarding the Belgian and would be prepared to wait until 2023 to sign the midfielder on a free transfer. With how well Granit Xhaka has performed, it is easy to see why.
Regarding Neto, Jorge Mendes’ involvement in any potential deal is a benefit to them and the interest in signing him is real. However, the price tag of around £50m could be too much for the Gunners to jump toward.
With little news regarding alternatives, there is a growing reality that Arsenal may end the window with their current squad. Minus of course the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin, with football.london understanding Arsenal are hopeful of moving on the trio.
The glaring gaps look to be a third-choice centre-forward and second-choice right winger. Without Neto or an equivalent, Pepe’s departure seemingly leaves the Gunners short in case of an injury to Gabriel Jesus or Bukayo Saka.
Gabriel Martinelli or Fabio Vieira could potentially provide some cover, but neither are natural centre-forwards. The other area remains central midfield.
Beyond Partey and Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny are the depth for the position. However, they are seen as quite the drop in quality to the starting pair, fairly or unfairly so depending on the critic.
What is important to remember is failing to sign anyone now does not mean Arsenal are committed to this group for the entire season. An injury at some stage or over the course of the winter World Cup can be addressed in the January window if necessary.
That is if the club utilise the window after failing to bring anyone in last winter. Despite the need for a striker, Arsenal allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave for Barcelona and did not replace him.
Goals became an issue in the second half of the campaign until Eddie Nketiah’s introduction. Without reinforcement in case of a midfield absence in the long-term, it is tricky to imagine a similar introduction from within being as effective.
Arteta and Edu need to make the right decision before the window closes. Failing to do so could cost them a big opportunity further down the line.
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