If Arsenal decide they want to sign Jack Grealish and Viktor Gyokeres, Financial Fair Play will not necessarily stop them.
Unlike many teams in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side will not have to go about their business looking over their shoulder too much at FFP. But while they are complying with restrictions at present, the club are conscious of not getting into similar scenarios as some of their Premier League rivals.
A Declan Rice type deal this summer would be unlikely and something of a surprise – but significant sales of the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson would mean it’s not something entirely ruled out.
Having come so close to winning the title for the first time since 2004, Arsenal can further bolster their squad following the arrival of David Raya on a permanent deal.
The goalkeeper, along with Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Rice raised the levels at the Emirates Stadium, even if it did not raise the league position. Arteta’s squad is in excellent condition. Now it is about applying the finishing touches that will propel them past Manchester City.
One of those could be City’s own record signing and £100million man Grealish, who has had to compete with jet-heeled Jeremy Doku all season. Gyokeres, the former Coventry forward turned 43 goal man for Sporting Lisbon, is a centre-forward who has attracted admiring glances from many in Europe.
Yet, the arrivals, should Arsenal decide to pursue them, has the danger of alienating two of the most popular figures in the dressing room – Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus. Trossard enjoyed a strong season in North London while Jesus struggled with injuries and inconsistent bouts of form.
Yet, they both have a positive influence in the dressing room. Rice and Gabriel Martinelli have both expressed how much they respect the duo and may be fearing that the new arrivals could see them squeezed out.
When asked what Arsenal player he got along with most when he first arrived, Rice said: “You know what? I think from the first day when I was there, Leandro Trossard.
“You wouldn’t put us two together, I would say, but he’s a really, really top guy. I sat next to him on the plane. I’ve been with him here quite a lot. He’s just an all-round top person.”
Meanwhile, in a similar interview, Martinelli vouched for his colleague when he said: “I love to play with him (Gabriel Jesus). He’s a great, great player. One of the best strikers in the world and yeah, I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
Rice and Martinelli would likely be devastated if the attacking duo were the ones to leave or pushed down the pecking order. However, Grealish would bring a winning pedigree and experience and give Martinelli a kick up the backside following a disappointing season. The same can be said of Jesus, who saw Havertz play the majority season up front instead of him despite it not being the German’s natural position.
Injuries blighted the Brazilian international’s season, but the Gunners should not forget the 11 goals and six assists he helped himself to in his debut campaign at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have next to no FFP barriers to navigate meaning they’ve got the green light to spend big, but spending for the sake of spending is not always the best strategy.
Arteta looks to have amassed the perfect balance of characters and leaders in his dressing room, but he must consider his next moves carefully.
