Arsenal fans have had a frustrating start to the summer transfer window.
Martin Zubimendi’s imminent arrival has been delayed with Real Sociedad wanting to hold off until July for financial reasons.
Andrea Berta is desperate to add to Mikel Arteta’s options in attack but deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are proving to be difficult.
With a defender also high on the priority list, Arsenal have made a move for Aymeric Laporte and Arsenal Insider analyses the potential impact of a move for the former Manchester City defender.
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Winners from Aymeric Laporte’s transfer to Arsenal
Mikel Arteta
Arteta worked with Laporte alongside Pep Guardiola and knows that the Spanish international has all the experience and winning mentality required to bring success to the Emirates Stadium.
Laporte is a Premier League winner and at 31 years of age, the defender still has the ability to provide quality back-up to centre backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arteta is under pressure to deliver a trophy next season and the acquisition of Laporte would be a shrewd move from the Gunners boss.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly made an outstanding impact during his first season in the Arsenal first-team squad despite playing a position that is not deemed to be his best.
However, with Thomas Partey’s future uncertain, the arrival of Laporte could be another step towards the Hale End graduate moving into a midfield position next season.
Lewis-Skelly is close to signing a new contract and with Laporte bolstering defensive cover alongside Riccardo Calafiori, the England international could find more opportunities in the centre of the park.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes is confident of returning in pre-season following hamstring surgery that saw him miss the last two months of the season.
Gabriel has recently signed a new contract at the club and is one of Arteta’s most important players however, admitted to playing through the pain barrier at times during the last campaign.
Arsenal will want to attack all four trophy fronts next season and with the arrival of Laporte, Gabriel knows he has an excellent understudy ready to step in and avoid any fitness risks.
Losers from Aymeric Laporte’s transfer to Arsenal
Jakub Kiwior
Jakub Kiwior was outstanding during the end of season run-in for the Gunners in the absence of Gabriel. However, the Polish defender faces an uncertain future.
AC Milan are interested in Kiwior and should Laporte agree a move to North London, it would surely signal the end for the Arsenal man.
Kiwior has proven he is good enough for first-team football and will not want to fall further down Arteta’s pecking order, opening up a move away from the club.
It remains to be seen whether Oleksandr Zinchenko joins Kiwior at Milan but it is clear that the Gunners pair are heading to the exit door.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu has endured a torrid time with injuries since his arrival in 2021 and with the Japanese international not expected to return until 2026, Laporte’s arrival is another hurdle for the defender to overcome.
Tomiyasu’s versatility across the back line is something that Arteta admires in the 26-year-old but another defender in the ranks would see opportunities even more limited upon return.
It is highly likely that Tomiyasu will be sold upon return to fitness and any hopes of reigniting his Arsenal career would be dashed with the signature of Laporte.
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