Liverpool are now looking to seal a deal for one player that Arsenal struck an agreement with earlier this summer.
As things stand, if you discount the conversion of David Raya’s loan move into a permanent transfer, Arsenal have only made one significant signing this summer. Riccardo Calafiori joined the North London club, arriving from Bologna to strengthen the defence.
The transfer window was impacted by Euro 2024 and the Copa America earlier this summer, but by now Mikel Arteta may well be beginning to feel some frustration with how long it is taking to bring new players into the club.
The Spanish coach will be keen to strengthen his ranks in a number of key areas, but the club’s efforts to get deals over the line aren’t producing any swift results. Even in the case of Calafiori, there was a saga that lasted weeks before he was finally unveiled in the famous red and white.
The Gunners still need to add a body in the middle of the park. Arsenal are working on a deal for Mikel Merino, but again, these negotiations have dragged on, and it could still be some time yet before he signs on the dotted line.
Prior to Merino, though, Arsenal chased his Real Sociedad teammate Martin Zubimendi.
Liverpool move for Martin Zubimendi highlights Arsenal flaw
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal had struck an agreement with Zubimendi themselves, before the deal fell apart, allowing an opportunity for the Merseyside outfit to swoop.
There is where the Gunners’ lack of haste in the market has cost them. Sporting director Edu has to start getting deals completely over the line quicker.
Zubimendi has a £52 million release clause, if an agreement over personal terms had been reached with the player, then completing the transfer should have been a speedy and straightforward affair.
This was not how things panned out though, and ultimately the deal fell apart, allowing Liverpool to move in. Edu needs to show ruthlessness in these situations. Until he finds that killer instinct, the Gunners will continue to find that their deals are hijacked by rivals, as was the case when Chelsea stole in to sign Mykhailo Mudryk ahead of Arsenal.
Are Arsenal ready for title challenge?
The Gunners’ relative lack of business so far this summer means that they will get the new season underway with a very familiar squad. This bodes well in terms of team cohesion on the pitch, but Arteta will certainly worry that his side haven’t taken the steps forward needed to finally overtake Manchester City.
Despite this, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes Arsenal will be crowned champions.
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