Journalist Sam Dean has now revealed how the Arsenal staff feel about their own current squad.
Arsenal spent big in the recent summer transfer window, making major additions to their first team squad, with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and David Raya all arriving at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu will be well aware that squad building is an ever-evolving and ongoing process. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the north London club are keen to bring in a left-back and striker in the current January transfer window.
These additions are required because the Gunners’ defensive contingent has been heavily impacted by injuries this season, with Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu both having been sidelined for significant periods. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s attackers have struggled to score consistently. So far this season, first choice striker Gabriel Jesus has just three Premier League goals to his name.
In general, though, according to Sam Dean, Arteta is satisfied with the first team group at his disposal. Speaking on Charles Watts’ Inside Arsenal YouTube platform, the reporter said, “the view internally at Arsenal is very different to a couple of years ago when they were still in that massive rebuilding phase and a lot of players were going and a lot of players were coming in. They’re quite happy now with the squad they have and the balance they have in that squad, across the board in defence, midfield, and attack.”
What is the current state of the Arsenal squad?
On the whole, Arsenal have a solid squad. Despite their struggles in recent weeks, this group of players were able to get the club to the top of the Premier League table by Christmas Day. Arsenal also have elite players in key positions, with standout individuals such as Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and William Saliba, amongst others, within their ranks.
Fans respond to progress, though, and standing still is not an option when winning major silverware is the aim. There are gaps in the squad and players who can be upgraded upon. For instance, for all of his quality, Jesus is not prolific. Equally, Oleksandr Zinchenko is considered a defensive liability. Thomas Partey is too injury-prone to be relied upon, and the time has come to move him on.
Arteta and Edu will both be eager to improve their squad in any way that they can. It may be a struggle for Arsenal to make significant progress in that regard this month, though, as the club only has a limited transfer budget to work with.
The most important thing, if Arsenal do make any permanent signings this month, is that they only bring in players who genuinely improve the level of the squad. It is vital that the Gunners are not seduced into any panic buys.
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