Arsenal and Unai Emery: Why youth is the name of the game

Arsenal have been linked to a variety of names this summer without signing any of them. But there is a method to Unai Emery’s planning, and it all begins and ends with youth.

After the unsettling final outing for Arsenal against Chelsea in Baku for the Europa League final, the transfer window thus far has been equally unpleasant. Apart from Edu’s impending arrival as the new Technical Director and the winger Gabriel Martinelli of Brazil, only failed transfer talk litter the news cycle about players such as Yannick Carrasco and Ryan Fraser.

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However, dig a little deeper, under the surface mire and conjecture of the whirring transfer rumour mill, and you can see a pattern to the Unai Emery recruitment strategy. Take a look at the three names that are seemingly closest to securing a north London move this summer.

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Kieran Tierney, while not yet snatched away from Celtic, may be an impending Arsenal man. The team remains ‘optimistic’ of a deal, despite being rejected for their first bid of £15m. At 22, the full-back represents youth, while still boasting terrific experience with the past five Scottish Premiership titles under his belt and ability as one of Scotland’s best talents at any position. Adding him to the backline alongside Sokratis and a healthy Hector Bellerin could prove more effective than how the backline faired at times in the past years’ campaigns. With Celtic reported to desire £25m, an amicable compromise of £20m seems likely to occur in the near future.

18-year-old centre-half William Saliba is another potential acquisition. His Arsenal future seems contingent upon if the club is willing to pay approximately £25m to Saint-Etienne simply to loan him back for a year more. Having applied to personal terms together already, this last jump does complicate the endeavour. An idea more palatable had Arsenal qualified for the Champions League, extra capital in pocket and time to additionally secure assets moving forward, the actual reality may preclude such a deal during this present transfer window.

Markus Schubert’s future, on the other hand, seems contingent on his personal wishes. Reports have surfaced that he would rather go from Dresden to Schalke (allegedly preparing an offer), while still another conflicting report shows his girlfriend wearing an Arsenal kit in a social media posting. The 21-year-old keeper, having started 32 matches last season in Dresden, would be a fantastic signing and leave the goalkeeper position wealthy with youth and talent for years ahead. Behind Bernd Leno, the two could prove stalwarts across domestic and European competitions without individually wearing thin to complete the task.

As we’ve seen since Emery’s hiring, youth is a major focus of the club. These three targets are no exception to this rule. And it is not just youthful exuberance that the Arsenal brain trust might be after. In recent days, Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez has been linked with a potential move to north London. At 27, he is not necessarily as young as the aforementioned targets, but he could provide education to young players already at the club, such as 17-year-old new Brazilian signing Martinelli, Arsenal 17-year-old Bukayo Saka and 19-year-old loan returnee Reiss Nelson. This could be crucial for total team development.

Further, a 27-year-old with three successful Champions League on their resume can bring a greater mentality to the game than any player the club currently possesses. Vazquez could be a plausible and necessary piece to add to a team in need of a boost before next year’s campaign begins anew, and not just for the direct impact he will have on the pitch.

The summer window has been slow and lethargic thus far. But below the surface, plans are being made. And for Arsenal and Unai Emery, they all revolve around the acquiring, developing, and flourishing of youth.