A large section of Arsenal fans were expecting to see Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk at the Emirates. There was to be a twist in the tale as Chelsea swooped in the last minute to take him to the other side of London. Whether the Blues were lurking in the shadows or did they always have the upper hand, we may never know. But this has put the Gunners in a bit of a sticky situation. How do they react here?
The Money Problem
This might not sound like a big issue, but it has become common knowledge by now that Arsenal were willing to spend up to £100m. Whether this was justified for Mudryk or not is a debate for another day. But what this does, is give the selling clubs the option to charge the Premier League leaders a bigger fee. They could easily point to this potential deal and suggest that their players deserve a higher value. So, it becomes harder to find value for money and given that the window is open for only a few more days, the club needs to act quick.
Is Germany The Answer?
From now until the end of the January transfer window, you will see a lot of names being linked with the Gunners. Some of them have already been linked in the past and it could be a case of news just being circulated again. But there are a couple of names from the Bundesliga that stand out, for different reasons. One of them is Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen and the other, Jesper Lindstrom from Eintracht Frankfurt.
They are vastly different players but could easily fit into what Mikel Arteta would want from his forward players. Diaby is an explosive winger who in many ways plays like Bukayo Saka. Getting him will not be easy as he would need a bid of around £70m or so. Lindstrom on the other hand is a tactically intelligent player that can play in the middle or on the flanks. The Danish international resembles Thomas Muller with his ability to read situations.
The Italian Redemption?
One name that has unexpectedly been linked with the Arsenal is that of Nicolo Zaniolo from AS Roma. The Italian has had a lot of bad luck with injuries in the last few seasons. That is the biggest cloud hanging over this potential transfer as before.
But that injury record could prove to be a blessing in disguise for those at the Emirates. It can help them sign him for a lower price. And though this would be more of a gamble than a guaranteed success, the club could benefit from having such an elite talent. The Italy international is technically brilliant and more importantly, strong enough to deal with the English league.
Arteta is a manager that is capable of getting the best out of players and is adept at moulding talents. Should this transfer go through, it could help remind people of just why Zaniolo was such a highly rated talent to begin with.
The Internal Solutions?
As much as the Arsenal fans would want to see a new signing help them in the fight for the Premier League, there is a good chance that no one ends up at the Emirates. If this were to happen, there are a couple of players that will be happy. Reiss Nelson and Marquinhos are technically the only ones offering depth in the wings as of now.
Some might be a bit apprehensive about giving either of them the chance to deputise for Saka, but the Gunners have shown the benefits of trusting youth. Although one wishes that no player should get injured, it is heartening to know that there is at least some form of back up.
Even if there are no signings this month, it shouldn’t take away anything from the brilliant atmosphere that is present at the club. It can be seen in the connection that the players have with the fans and with each other. Further evidence can be seen in how difficult it is to get tickets to see the league leaders play.
So, if you want to join in on the fun and see what a special team is being built by Arteta and company, head to the right source. Getting Arsenal tickets should be made easier for everyone who supports the team whether there are new signings or not. A couple of seasons when things weren’t going to plan and the fans were away, there was a gloomy mood around the Emirates. But that has changed so brilliantly and you can witness it once you get a ticket and see the magic live.
A Familiar Face?
One of the most defining transfer sagas of the previous summer was the triangle that involved the Gunners, Chelsea and Barcelona. The player in question was former Leeds United winger Raphinha who could be available for sale again. The biggest stumbling block in the Brazilian returning to England is going to the price that Barca would demand.
Stylistically, he is one of the best fits for the system that Arteta has implemented. His speed, passing and ability to shoot from any distance makes him a dangerous asset to have. But the question is would Edu and co, be willing to spend what they were about to on Mudryk? A good signing especially at this stage of the season, can alter the course of a team.
And when you are on top of the league, you want to ensure that you are in a position where you have the depth needed to go forward. Seeing the squad that Manchester City or even Manchester United, the north Londoners would realise what they need to do.
A Breakout Star?
Given that the market has become a bit more inflated than the Gunners, there is one potential signing that could be worth it. Getting hold of Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao who is said to have a release clause of £50m would be a great deal. Not only is the Spaniard an electric winger who can blast past defenders, he is just getting started.
Under the tutelage of the Arsenal boss, he could be moulded into a top class forward and challenge Saka for that right wing. Since there is a release clause it will be easier to negotiate a deal but are the English giants ready to pull the trigger on this deal?
Conclusion
The Gunners had a primary target in mind, but they could not get that deal over the line. Though reinforcements are needed, there is no real need to overpay. Quality does exist in the market, and it can be purchased from the right source. This season presents a great opportunity to achieve something magnificent. Adding to the squad depth is one way of ensuring that the team is ready to face the challenge that lies ahead.
Arsenal have a manager that has won over even his most fervent critics. The club has a project that is exciting to be a part of it and there are a lot of players who would be willing to be a part of this. They have the tools to make something, and fans will hope that there is some good news waiting from them.
