So much of this season for Arsenal will be defined by that they did in the recent summer transfer window.
Arsenal were busy in the market over the course of the summer, as there were numerous incomings and outgoings from the Emirates Stadium.
There were four first team arrivals in North London, with Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling, and Neto all joining Mikel Arteta’s squad. On top of that, David Raya signed for Arsenal on a permanent basis, having spent last season on loan with the club from Brentford.
In terms of exits, accounting for permanent sales, contract expiries, and loan departures, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Aaron Ramsdale, Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny, Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, and Reiss Nelson all said farewell.
The Gunners will be expected to seriously compete on all fronts this campaign, and it is the job of sporting director Edu Gaspar, via his actions in the market, to ensure that Arteta has the players he needs to achieve that aim.
The Brazilian has largely impressed in his role, and has a good track record when it comes to transfer dealings. He has now been lauded for one recent deal in particular.
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Edu and Arsenal hailed for Raheem Sterling deal
Edu negotiated a favourable deal for Sterling. The 29-year-old winger has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, after it became clear that he was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
By the time Sterling joined the Gunners late on Transfer Deadline Day , the Blues were desperate to offload him. Due to this, Arsenal paid no loan fee for his services, and will contribute less than 50% of his wages over the course of the campaign.
Arsenal will pay Sterling less to play for them than Chelsea will pay him to play for their capital city rivals.
It is partially for this reason that the writers and expert contributors at The Athletic have declared Arsenal’s capture of Sterling as the second-best Premier League deal of the summer, beaten only by Manchester City’s re-signing of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.
They stated: “Raheem Sterling’s season-long loan to Arsenal from Chelsea came in second place.
“Arsenal signing Sterling, who has won four Premier League titles, on loan without committing to paying his sizeable wage beyond this year — Chelsea have committed to paying more than half of Sterling’s salary for his season in north London — appears to be among the very best business of the window.
“This little financial commitment eliminates many of the dangers.”
What Raheem Sterling could deliver for Arsenal
Sterling’s reputation has been damaged by his difficult spell at Chelsea, but the fact remains that he is still a proven Premier League star, with over 100 goals in the competition and four title wins to his name.
The 82-cap England international has a point to prove, and still ought to be in his peak years. Arteta backs himself to restore Sterling, give him back his confidence and get him back to his best.
If the Spanish coach can manage that, and he has good reason to back himself as Sterling is a player he knows well from his time at Manchester City, then the winger has the capacity to have a huge impact for the Gunners.
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