Everything has changed for Arsenal and not in a way the club would have liked as the transfer window gains increased pressure for early deals. Sporting director Edu may have only just returned from his end of season break but the pressure to get new players through the door quickly has been escalated to new heights.
Arsenal are yet to sign any players although the window has only officially been open for several days while Profit and Sustainability Regulations continue to be on the minds of the club and their rivals. However, news of the Premier League fixture schedule for the 2024/25 season dropping will have made the club take note.
Arsenal’s first five games include clashes with Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City all away from home. A considerable upgrade in the tests of recent season’s starts and should Mikel Arteta wish to compete in a third successive title race, ensuring maximum points or as close to it as possible will be vital.
It changes the dynamic of the pressure on potential signings because where players like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz had time to settle into their new side before facing both Manchester City and Liverpool last season, the trip to the Etihad Stadium comes much quicker. Having the key reinforcements secured early will allow for them to take part in pre-season and the US tour.
Despite Jurrien Timber being unable to take part in the majority of the season due to injury, it was apparent in his Community Shield performance against Man City that the pre-season games and training had prepared him well for the campaign. football.londonunderstands that there will be no rash decisions in the market in the wake of Benjamin Sesko’s decision not to leave RB Leipzig but that the club remain confident of strengthening the side before the market closes.
However, the season begins weeks prior to the market closing at the end of August. Arsenal have three matches including the trip to Villa Park in August and so having the players ready to take on the challenge sooner will be key.
That said, unlike last summer, standout transfer candidates are not particularly forthcoming. While football.london understands that a central midfielder is a priority for the club – with further desires in the forward line, defence and goalkeeper to cover all bases – names have not emerged in the same way that Rice did last year.
Neither are the markets for centre-forwards and central midfielders particularly enticing. There is definitely quality out there but as usual, Arsenal are keeping their cards close to their chest and want to go about their business as privately as possible with the potential for some surprise deals this summer.
It has been a theme that names come out of nowhere and suddenly the move is at an advanced stage and supporters will certainly be hoping for some news closer to the latter stages of the European Championships and Copa America. Both end in mid-July and within a fortnight the club will be taking on Manchester United in Los Angeles SoFi Stadium
