#43 - Grading Arsenal's summer transfer window

With the window shut and an international break already upon us, it's time to run the rule over Arsenal's summer business

This week I’ve already looked at tactical options ahead of a tough return to action after the international break. I’m writing again as last week there was no post as I had the small matter of getting married and heading on my honeymoon. Sadly, I am back in England, upon touching down in the UK Declan Rice had just received his second yellow card, so you can imagine how hard my back to reality was.

Well, that transfer window was a bit of a journey. Overall we probably did more outgoings than many expected, but perhaps less big-name arrivals. This week I look deeper at what we did and didn’t do and what it could mean for future windows.

Outgoings 

Loans out 

Karl Hein - In a summer where most of Arsenal’s goalkeepers were sold or released, the club signed Hein up to a new deal and as part of that agreement, sent him on loan. He’s the first choice at Real Valladolid, so he looks set to have a positive season.

Albert Sambi Lokonga - option to buy £10m - This one was slightly disappointing. I felt after a decent season at Luton on loan, that Arsenal would be able to get a permanent transfer for Sambi, and maybe at a touch more than the £10million option Sevilla have.

Nuno Tavares - obligation to buy £8m - This was a strong deal, given Nuno’s lack of playing time in recent years. It means Arsenal will turn a slight profit on the player.

Fabio Vieira - I have said for some time that Fabio should be loaned out. He has not played much senior football in his career at all, and he wasn’t going to get consistent minutes at Arsenal. A loan, with no buy option, as Arsenal aim to build his value up again makes a lot of sense.

Reiss Nelson - Similar to Vieira, Nelson needs minutes to build his value and after Sterling arrived, it meant Arsenal had the flexibility to allow him to move on loan. Let’s hope he gets lots of minutes at Fulham.

Transfers out 

Cedric - released 

Elneny - released 

Mika Biereth - £5m - Unexpected boost to the coffers the club will be happy about.

Emile Smith Rowe - £35m - I really like Emile but this was a good sale. He’s not fit regularly and didn’t seem to deliver on Arteta’s non-negotiables. For a player who has started such few games, this was a significant sale.

Eddie Nketiah - £30m - £25m + £5m is a really good sale for me. I am quite low on Eddie and think he had next to no impact off the bench and not enough quality to start for us.

Aaron Ramsdale - £25m - £18m plus add ons that could take it to £25million, I think it’s an OK sale. Some will have wanted more, but given he was second choice and desperately wanted to leave, I think it’s a good amount to get from a Southampton side that don’t have much cash.

What we didn’t do: Only Saudi money for Thomas Partey (then replacing him) would have probably made this summers clearout stronger. As good as Partey can be, relying on his terrible injury history for another season feels less than ideal. He now looks set to leave on a free transfer next summer. 

Overall outgoings rating: Best we’ve done in memory. 9/10

Incomings

Raheem Sterling - It’s a very cost-effective deal, reportedly with no loan fee and just £100k per week of his wages paid. This deal in isolation is good, but at the start of the window, we’d have expected a more inspiring signing in this position.

Mikel Merino - I think most had higher hopes at the start of the window when the likes of Bruno Guimaraes were linked. Merino though will probably be a solid addition and be more ready-to-go than some of the other solutions. It does mean that Arsenal will need to sign at least one younger central midfielder next summer, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho’s contracts expiring.

Riccardo Calafiori - I think this is the best signing of the summer for Arsenal, he’s a top class player, early in his career and capable of playing a few roles.

Personally, I think we needed two players who could play 8/wide/CF between them. Sterling arrives and can do some of that, but I would’ve expected more at the start of the window.

Calafiori and Merino look solid additions, and we have sensibly sorted the goalkeeper situation in the short term with Neto arriving on loan to replace Ramsdale but there’s plenty of work left to do in upcoming windows.

Overall incomings rating: Some solid additions, but lack top quality. 5/10

Overall window rating: 7/10  

What it means for the future

Space for Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri to integrate: Next summer Jorginho and Partey are set to see their contracts expire and I would not be surprised if Arsenal let both go. The club could promote Myles Lewis-Skelly into a more prominent position in the squad, whilst also giving Declan Rice most of his minutes at number 6.

We will need a backup number 6 next summer: I would like to see us sign another 6 next summer as more of a backup to Rice, perhaps a younger player, but someone of high enough quality to play alongside Rice when we want to play Rice a bit further forward.

Still need a ‘wide 8’: After letting Smith Rowe leave and Vieira likely to not stay, I think we need a player who can play as an 8 and wide. Someone in the Eberechi Eze or Morgan Gibbs-White mould.

A permanent solution to the wide issues: When Sterling’s loan expires Arsenal will need an out-and-out winger like Nico Williams. Gabriel Martinelli’s form this season may dictate the level of player we decide to bring in. If we want to push to be the very best, we need a Saka-level threat on the left.

Sort the goalkeeping situation, again: Neto is also only on a one-year loan. I expect the club will go back for Joan Garcia, the young Spaniard they wanted to compete with David Raya. Personally, providing Raya has another solid season, I would be happy to have a more senior backup like Neto continue to deputise.

So in essence, next summer I think something like:

• Sterling, Jorginho, Partey, Neto out

• N.Williams, Eze, young #6, J.Garcia in

We know the club would also like a more senior third-choice option like Dan Bentley from Wolves. For now, youngster Tommy Setford is taking on that role.