Arsenal’s future hangs in the balance with this summer’s transfer window

For a Premier League manager, the toughest time of the year has to be the transfer window.

So much of a team’s future, as well as a manager’s future, is determined by the success, or failure, in the transfer market.

This summer will be no different for Mikel Arteta.  As a matter of fact, this will be the most important transfer market of our young manager’s coaching career. The club’s future hangs in the balance with what he can accomplish in this transfer window.

Arteta has lead the Gunners for 2 1/2 seasons. During that spell, the Gunners have finished 8th twice, and 5th once in the Premier League. His overall record in all competitions is 74 wins, 20 draws and 39 defeats, a 56% winning average.

So, after a brush with Champions League football just ending, he now moves into this important transfer window with several things that need to happen.

First, Arteta and Edu Gaspar need to purge the team’s dead weight. A huge sell-off of players is required to help bolster Stan Kroenke’s generous amount of money sent to the north London HQ to spend in the transfer window.

On that sell-off list is Bernd Leno, Alex Runarsson, Nicolas Pepe, Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Granit Xhaka, Reiss Nelson and Cedric Soares might also make the list depending on Arteta’s summer business plans..

Second, the Gunners need to sign a bonafide striker. As stated a million times over, Arsenal’s goal production this past season was dismal. Yes, the signing of Eddie Nkeitah will be beneficial, however, Arteta needs to find the “main man” to lead the line and put the ball into the back of the net. That’s priority one!

Third, Arsenal needs more depth at left fullback. Kieran Tierney is amazing, but also injury-prone. A player like Aaron Hickey would fit the bill here. The young Scotsman can also play right full back, so Takehiro Tomiyasu would have extra support as well. This is where Cedric Soares future could be in doubt in north London.

Fourth, the club needs additional strength in the midfield, both attacking and defending. Like Tierney, Thomas Party is a great player, but also spends a lot of time on the injured list. Youri Tielemans, Arthur Melo or Yves Bissouma would be nice additions to the depth chart.

And last, but not least, Arteta needs to get a contract extension signed by Bukayo Saka, and a new contract inked by Eddie Nketiah. Period.

Yes, the Gunners manager has a big “To Do List” ahead of him this summer. With his team only one win away from making the Champions League this past season, this is the time to put the pedal to the metal and make some big signings.

In my opinion, Arsenal is only three really good players away from becoming a Top Four club again, and a team that can compete for trophies in 2022/2023.

The Spaniard has changed the culture, purged the bad eggs, developed a solid playing system and has regained the support of Gooner Nation.

Now, Mikel Arteta must make some important signings this summer to cross that last hurdle and prove to the naysayers that Arsenal is back!

Cheers.

Gunner1953