Arsenal are looking to end the summer transfer window strongly and provide Mikel Arteta with the group to challenge for the title for a third successful time. Having already signed David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori, the Gunners are not done and more signings are expected.
Discussions over a move for Mikel Merino remain ongoing, the Real Sociedad central midfielder who impressed at the European Championships this summer. Although an official offer is not the strong relationship between the two sides would allow for the deal to accelerate quickly to completion when it reaches the next stage.
Interestingly, there was much discussion ahead of and throughout the window of the difficulty in bringing in a level of player who raises the ceiling of the squad. It was thought that on the whole, the club’s depth would be targeted and therefore the floor raised instead.
However, with Calafiori and potentially Merino, Arteta may instead find that he has two potential starters in his midst. The left-back role has been in a state of flux for the past couple of seasons with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu all vying for the position.
Jurrien Timber is also in the frame and the versatile defender is now fit and will be making a claim to start plenty of matches this season. Calafiori though offers Arteta the defensive acumen and offensive ability he has looked for in a defender for the role and he and Timber will surely be vying for the role this time around.
Merino would be joining a midfield which has just seen Emile Smith Rowe join Fulham on a permanent move. Thomas Partey was considered the starting partner to Declan Rice however rumours of a summer exit and some questionable form have certainly pulled the rug from under that position.
