The summer transfer window will close in England at 11pm on Friday, August 30th.
Arsenal have not been hugely busy in the market so far, but Mikel Arteta will expect further business to be done.
So far, in terms of first team additions, David Raya has had his loan move from Brentford converted into a permanent switch, and Riccardo Calafiori has arrived from Bologna.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe represents the only major sale to date, having joined Fulham.
However, Mikel Merino is set to join Arsenal in the coming days. The Spaniard will add some much-needed midfield depth at the Emirates Stadium.
Four players could leave Arsenal, too. There are doubts over the futures of Aaron Ramsdale, Jakub Kiwior, and Reiss Nelson, whilst Crystal Palace launched a bid for Eddie Nketiah recently.
However, Ian Wright is convinced that there is still another area of concern that Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar need to address before Transfer Deadline Day.
Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign attacker
The legendary former Arsenal striker feels that the Gunners are lacking depth in the final third.
Speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast, he claimed: “Someone to back up Saka, that’s what we need. A quality player to back up Saka.”
Arteta is certainly extremely reliant upon Bukayo Saka, and understandably so. The Hale End academy graduate is a talismanic presence at the Emirates Stadium, the most potent and efficient attacker at the club, and does not face intense competition for his place in the side.
Whilst Nelson is ostensibly in the squad to offer cover and competition for Saka, it is clear that the manager lacks faith in the winger.
Nelson was only afforded one Premier League start last season, and if he remains in North London for the rest of this campaign it is hard to imagine him ever seriously threatening to force his way into the team.
Who Arsenal should sign to support Bukayo Saka
Finding quality cover for Saka is tricky, because anyone brought in to fulfil that role will have to accept that they will be playing second fiddle to the club’s star player. As such, no elite level talent is going to be keen to accept a back up role.
Therefore, the Gunners need to target a player versatile enough to operate on either flank. That way, when Saka is fit and firing on all cylinders, the new arrival will still stand a chance fo enjoying game time on the left wing.
Nico Williams is the ideal candidate to take up this role. The Spain international is comfortable on either wing, and is good enough to truly stand in for Saka if required.
The Athletic Bilbao man offers blistering pace, creativity, and goal threat, and his arrival would represent a real statement of intent.
Williams is available to Arsenal and ought to be Arteta and Edu’s top priority.
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