Arsenal: Josh Kroenke’s transfer window response

The fans demanded a response from Arsenal. And Josh Kroenke, after telling them to ‘be excited’, handed what exactly what they were looking for.

Over three weeks ago, I wrote that Arsenal fans should hold off on their pessimism and that it was not ‘all doom and gloom just yet’. To me, something felt different about this window already, and I was confident that at least two or three players would be brought in to strengthen the squad.

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Part of the reason for my optimism was the voice of Josh Kroenke. I credited Kroenke for responding to the ‘We Care Do You’ movement, addressing the concerns of the fans. I, perhaps foolishly, believed that he would act on his words. And he did.

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Unlike his father, who is infamously nicknamed ‘Silent Stan,’ Josh showed some understanding of the club’s many problems and was also quick to point out that he was in attendance at the Europa League Final in Baku. He told Arsenal fans to ‘be excited’ at a point in time when only Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli had been brought in.

Well, it turns out, he was right, and there was indeed a lot to be excited about.

Coming into the summer, Arsenal had some major issues to address. Most notably, the need for defensive reinforcements was as apparent as ever; there also was a lack of a proven threat from the wing and Aaron Ramsey needed to be replaced.

Since Kroenke’s response, the club has signed Saint-Etienne’s William Saliba, the centre-back for the future, while somehow bringing in Chelsea’s David Luiz on deadline day as a more temporary solution. Admittedly, Luiz has some question marks defensively, but he is still an obvious upgrade over Shkodran Mustafi and is a fantastic passer of the ball, which is especially important if Unai Emery continues to play out from the back. A central core of Sokratis, Luiz, Rob Holding, and Calum Chambers is something I can live with this season.

The club then brought in Kieran Tierney from Celtic, who has the potential to be the starting left-back for the next decade — with Nacho Monreal looking slower by the day and Sead Kolasinac unable to play in a back four, this appears to be a fantastic signing for just £25 million in a market where United just paid £55 million for Aaron wan Bissaka.

Further up the pitch, Arsenal broke their transfer record for Ivorian winger Nicolas Pépé. With electric pace and the ability to run at defenders, Pépé is a welcome addition who will add a further threat to an already strong attack. The mere prospect of a front three with Pepe joining Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette is absolutely mouthwatering.

Last but not least, Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos arrived on loan, a player who appears more stylistically similar to Santi Cazorla than Aaron Ramsey, the man who he is actually replacing. Ceballos will add some flair and creativity to the midfield for at least one season, while youngsters like Joe Willock and Matteo Guendouzi continue their development.

The Alex Iwobi transfer was quite unexpected and feels a bit sad as he is an Arsenal boy, but the £40 million offer was simply too good to turn down for a player who didn’t really have a clear role in our squad.

All in all, then, this has been an excellent window that could easily become an elite one if the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Mohamed Elneny, who at this point are just taking up space on the wage bill. The bottom line is that the fans wanted signings and they have got them. Whatever work Don Raul Sanllehi has done behind the scenes has paid off, and then some. This was a phenomenal summer, but now it’s time for the new season. Be excited, Arsenal fans.