David Ornstein confirms Arsenal want to ‘close the gap’ on Liverpool with one transfer decision

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Arsenal are set for a huge summer transfer window, with several first-team players set to depart and a number of big signings to be made.

However, the first team will not be the only focus in this transfer window. Arsenal want to bolster the quality within the Hale End Academy with signings and will aim to copy Manchester City and Liverpool in this regard.

Whilst there are several outstanding young talents coming through such as Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Arteta responded to criticism over his use of academy stars by hinting that there was a lack of quality within the Arsenal ranks.

Journalist David Ornstein has now confirmed that Arsenal want to sign players specifically to develop in the academy, to reap the benefits Man City and Liverpool have enjoyed from such a strategy.

David Ornstein reveals Arsenal youth transfer strategy

In a Q&A with The Athletic, Ornstein claimed that Arsenal want to recruit top-end Academy talents who can either break into the first team or be sold for pure profit.

“We’ve seen impressive progress at this level at Liverpool and Manchester City, so Arsenal would like to close the gap and produce more talent who can potentially play in their first team or be sold at a profit,” he explained.”

“It’s especially important for clubs post-Brexit. (Jorrel) Hato and (Evan) Ferguson wouldn’t be viewed by clubs in this bracket — they’re basically senior players.”

How Arsenal can copy Liverpool and Manchester City academy success

Man City have made some incredible sales of academy players who had hardly featured in the first team. The likes of Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer went for over £40m, and James Trafford moved for close to £20m.

Compared to Arsenal’s sales, these provide significant boosts both in terms of budget, but financial fair play compliance, and Arteta, Edu Gaspar and Per Mertesacker clearly feel there is a lot to be gained with this strategy.

Liverpool just won the Carabao Cup with several academy stars in the first team as a result of injuries. Some of these young talents were recruited from elsewhere, with experience and quality under their belts that Jurgen Klopp deemed them ready to make an impact.

Having academy youngsters at a similar level would add extra depth options for Arteta, and the club now look ready to explore signings in this area in the summer.