Arsenal's transfer business over the past year has been pretty successful up until this point. Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta have worked in tandem to create a squad that is capable of playing how the manager wants his side to, whilst also having plenty of promise and character.
The process hasn't been quick, with a ruthless approach to both signings and exits at the club to get to a stage where they can just compete again. Another thing they've had to be ruthless on is who to avoid when it comes to additions too, such as pulling out of the race to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax when Manchester United were prepared to put more money on the table.
That's where it makes the latest transfer link for Arsenal to Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi slightly baffling. The Gunners have previously been linked with the attacker, and are again being touted as one of a few teams (including Newcastle) to hold an interest.
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The young winger is said to be free to leave Chelsea this summer, with plenty of links surrounding both a loan and a permanent exit in the window. The 21-year-old can play anywhere behind the front three, an area that Arteta may be looking to address with interest in the likes of Cody Gakpo and Moussa Diaby.
However, Hudson-Odoi is at a very different stage in his career. The former England youth international is yet to put together a run of form that has seen him break into the first-team at Stamford Bridge on a consistent basis, with an Achilles injury significantly impacting his development back in 2019.
Should the forward join, he has having to battle with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka for a space in the team, hardly helping his long-term progression if he is in a similar situation to his current one at Chelsea. The other question surrounds the type of deal that would be on the table for the Gunners if they wish to land him.
A permanent deal may come at a huge cost to the club as well as potentially throwing the wage structure off slightly. A loan, while less risky, has no guarantee of his long-term future and may be an unlikely route.
Given the options out there, Arteta and Edu may be better following a similar trick that saw them land Fabio Vieira, by signing more obscure talent that have still played at the top level. The other option would be to develop what is already at the club, with someone such as Marquinhos offering plenty of potential for the future.
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