Arsenal squad now set until the next transfer window

The transfer window is closed and Mikel Arteta now has a squad firmly in place until the next transfer window.

The process was a bit grueling for everyone involved, including supporters, but at the end of the day Arsenal has come away a stronger squad.

Arteta was able to acquire almost everyone on his wish list, with the exception of Houssem Aouar. However, adding Thomas Partey is a huge addition to the team due to his strength as a box-to-box midfielder. Partey can defend, and he can create. Both skills were clearly missing in the Gunners midfield.

Here’s how I think Arteta will line-up his best starting XI going forward…

[4-3-3]
Aubameyang, Lacazette, Willian
Xhaka, Partey, Ceballos
Tierney, Gabriel, Luiz, Bellerin

In my opinion, this is a very strong starting XI. If you look across each line, there is quality everywhere. This is a line-up that can, and will, create many issues for a lot of clubs this season. Partey should fit in easily to Arteta’s scheme, and he’ll quickly win over his teammate and Gooners every where. Personally, I can’t wait to see this line-up together for the first time. Maybe we’ll get our first look on October 17th at Manchester City.

So, Arsenal was able to accomplish the following signings (or extensions) since June 30th:
Luiz, Saka, Mari, Soares, Willian, Gabriel, Ceballos, Aubameyang, Runarsson and Partey

A job well done by Arteta, Edu and the Arsenal transfer team!

The only real question mark right now is the #2 keeper position. Both Runarsson and Macey are untested in the Premier League.

There were some players the Gunners would have liked to offload before deadline day, however, deals couldn’t, or didn’t get done, including:
Sokaratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac and Ozil

I can see Kolasinac playing a role this season due to his versatility, however, once Mari and Chambers are healthy, I don’t see many opportunities for Sokratis and Mustafi, unless the Gunners are hit with injuries in that position. And then there’s Mesut Ozil who will ride out the last eight months of his contract in the shadows of the Gunners training facility.

Willian Saliba was another player Arsenal wanted to send out on loan, however, there were some technicalities that prevented a deal from happening. Arteta is being extremely careful working Saliba into any first team action. Obviously, the boss feels the young defender is not ready for a Cup or Premier League test.

And, of course there’s Lucas Torriera and Matteo Guendouzi. The first is now in Spain, while the latter is in Germany. Both players have been loaned out for one year.

So, here’s the official team roster for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners…

GOALKEEPERS
1 Bernd Leno
13 Alex Runarsson
33 Matt Macey

DEFENDERS
2 Hector Bellerin
3 Kieran Tierney
4 William Saliba
5 Sokratis Papastathopoulos
6  Gabriel Magalhaes
16 Rob Holding
17 Cedric Soares
20 Shkodran Mustafi
21 Calum Chambers
22 Pablo Mari
23 David Luiz
31 Sead Kolasinac

MIDFIELDERS
7 Bukayo Saka
8 Dani Ceballos
10 Mesut Ozil
15 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
18 Thomas Partey
25 Mohamed Elneny
28 Joe Willock
32 Emile Smith Rowe
34 Granit Xhaka

FORWARDS
9 Alexandre Lacazette
12 Willian
14 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
19 Nicolas Pepe
24 Reiss Nelson
30 Eddie Nketiah
35 Gabriel Martinelli

Cheers, and stay healthy and safe!

Gunner1953