Managing Arsenal as two first-team stars axed and prolific Premier League striker signed
Arsenal have an important summer transfer window approaching and sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta have lots of work to do to finesse the Gunners squad
Arsenal are still fully focused on the Premier League title race and pushing Manchester City right until the final whistle at the end of the season, but behind the scenes thoughts have already turned to the summer transfer window.
The Gunners’ steady progress over the past few years has been built upon strong recruitment and, regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, there will be a desire to continue the good work in the upcoming off-season. Arsenal don’t have the squad depth of City and adding top-quality players should be made easier by the lure of continued success and playing in the Champions League.
The summer transfer window opens for business on June 14 and runs until September 2, giving sporting director Edu, manager Mikel Arteta and their teams plenty of time to make tweaks and improvements. In the meantime, allow Mirror Football to step into their shoes and make some tough decisions.
After engaging our hard-nosed business brain and going all Football Manager, here is what we would do to give Arsenal the best chance in the 2024/25 season.
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Saying goodbye
Arteta has kept his first-team squad very tight-knit and has not veered away from his tried-and-tested lineups this season. Consistency – and a relative lack of injuries – has been the key to Arsenal’s strong form in the Premier League, but, as ever, there is fat that needs trimming this summer.
Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares have barely featured this season, making six appearances each across all competitions. Elneny has been at Arsenal since 2016 and, aged 31, the time has come to wave goodbye, with his contract expiring at the end of June. Cedric is also approaching the end of his deal and is clearly not needed. Both should leave on free transfers.
Next we come to those who are currently out on loan. Kieran Tierney was once a key player for Arsenal, but the demands Arteta places on his full-backs saw the Scot fall out of favour and with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior ahead of him, the Gunners could sell Tierney. He has two years left on his Arsenal deal, but after playing regularly for Real Sociedad in between hamstring issues, he could fetch a decent fee.
Nuno Tavares is not up to the standards required at Arsenal, nor at Nottingham Forest, where he has barely featured this season. Albert Sambi Lokonga has played more often for Luton, but isn’t needed, with Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Jorginho playing at a much higher level than the Belgian. Marquinhos returned from Nantes in February and was immediately loaned to Fluminense in his native Brazil until January. He’s only 21 and is under contract until June 2027, so there’s no rush, but a sale may be beneficial.
Then things become a bit more complicated. Aaron Ramsdale has spent most of the season warming the bench and it has become clear that David Raya is the undisputed number one goalkeeper. Ramsdale signed a new contract in May that runs until the summer of 2026 and also includes the option to extend by a further 12 months, but he was linked with Wolves and Newcastle and it would be prudent to cash in and move on, given his desire to play first-team football and compete for England’s No.1 spot.
News emerged this week that Arsenal would consider selling Gabriel Jesus after he slipped down the pecking order, with Kai Havertz excelling in his place. The Brazilian hasn’t hit the heights expected since his £45million arrival from Manchester City and if they can sell, Arsenal should.
Keep
The aforementioned Raya is still only on loan from Brentford, but his performances this season mean Arsenal are certain to want to keep him. They have an obligation to sign the Spaniard permanently for £27m and that now looks like something of a bargain. He fits Arteta’s playing style perfectly and is about to claim the Premier League’s Golden Glove in his debut campaign.
Jorginho signed an 18-month deal with the option of a further year when he joined in January 2023 and has become a crucial player for Arteta, providing experience, control and grit in midfield. He has been offered a new contract and is expected to sign it. Thomas Partey is out of contract in June 2025, and Arsenal might be minded to extend his terms, given the impact he’s had since returning from injury recently, freeing up Declan Rice.
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Incomings
Raya is the number one goalkeeper, but if Arsenal sell Ramsdale, they will need a new back-up. Karl Hein’s contract expires this summer and Arthur Okonkwo is currently out on loan at Wrexham. Neither fit the bill as a top-quality back-up and the club have been linked withPatrick Schulte of Columbus Crew in MLS. Arsenal aren’t the only Premier League side interested: the 23-year-old American has also caught the eye of Manchester United and Wolves.
It is up front where things become particularly interesting. Even if Jesus doesn’t leave, Arsenal need to sign a centre-forward. They mulled over the prospect in the January transfer window before deciding to keep their powder dry and wait for a more favourable situation in the summer. There are plenty of options, but none will come cheap.
Newcastle star Alexander Isak has enjoyed a brilliant campaign and is top of many wishlists this summer. The Swedish striker is tied to a long deal, but the Magpies know they need to sell in order to buy due to profit and sustainability constraints. Another exciting option is Viktor Gyokeres , who has been tearing it up for Sporting Lisbon since joining from Coventry last summer, and would cost £68.5m. Isak is best on the shoulder of the last defender, where he can use his pace, while Gyokeres’ bigger stature allows him to play comfortably with his back to goal.
Arsenal have previously been keen on Ivan Toney , but the Brentford striker hasn’t found form since returning from his betting ban. With just one year left on his deal, Toney would be a more affordable option, however, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is another possibility.
Arsenal could also do with another defender this summer. Their success this season has been built on the foundation provided by Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, but there isn’t much cover there, given Ben White has established himself at right-back. Injury could ruin future endeavours and another top-quality versatile defender could be a wise addition, even with Jurrien Timber returning from his season-long injury.
Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is a possible target, but he is valued at £55m by his club and Arsenal would face competition from Manchester United. Arsenal have also scouted Sporting’s young defender Ousmane Diomande.
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