It has often been said throughout sporting director Edu Gaspar’s tenure that Arsenal have somewhat struggled to sometimes land their priority targets. Mikel Arteta has been demanding of his transfer specialist colleague in the targets he wants and the pair have not always agreed initially on exactly the profiles the squad needs.
That said, no move is made without total agreement from both and even then sometimes it does not work out as eluded to above. Arsenal have seen the likes of Houssem Aouar, Dusan Vlahovic, Lisandro Martinez, Raphinha, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benjamin Sesko either decide to stay at their club or make a switch to some other side.
While that has been the case for these examples, Edu has worked well to pivot in the market for alternatives like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey. In both this and the previous summer however, there have been significant improvements.
Despite missing out early on Mason Mount, who was always keen on a move to Manchester United, Arsenal got a player thought too good to turn down at the time in Kai Havertz. While scrutinised at the time, the deal has certainly proven to be a good one for Mikel Arteta.
While both Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice were secured having fended off battles from United and Manchester City. David Raya, a long-term target of Arteta’s, was also signed for a smart loan with a purchase option included which has since been exercised.
Again, while this summer the early target of Sesko decided against a switch to Arsenal, the club are now closing in on their number one defensive option Riccardo Calafiori.
