Arsenal: 3 clubs to admire for summer transfer rebuild

Another season, one with more questions than answers, has come and gone. In light of an 8th place finish and no European football in over two decades, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ‘trust the process’ at Arsenal.

Regardless of fan sentiment, however, it appears as if the Kroenkes will stick with Mikel Arteta to have some semblance of continuity as the rebuild continues.

While there is little evidence to suggest that the club hierarchy possess the knowledge and experience to put together a squad and staff capable of challenging for football’s highest honors, there are plenty of examples of well-run organizations making intelligent decisions.

The scale of the task at hand becomes increasingly clear with each passing day, as more players become up for auction and further contracts need seeing to in quick time. Throw in the addition of Copa America and the European Championships this summer and the space with which to operate shortens.

Arsenal: 3 clubs to admire for summer transfer rebuild as Mikel Arteta prepares for unprecedented overhaul of squad

This, of course, without factoring in Arsenal’s lack of European football and thus pulling power, as well as the glaring financial restraints that may be tighter than ever.

Arsenal would do well to follow in the footsteps of these three clubs.

3. Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich has dominated the top flight of German football for decades with the only team that provides a semblance of competition being Borussia Dortmund, as well as more recently RB Leipzig.

The money in football is incredible. Record transfer fees are broken every year with clubs not afraid to splash the cash as inflation hikes prices up. Dortmund, however, does the next part well; they sell well. Snapping up youngsters, developing them and moving them on for hundreds of millions of pounds is something they do frequently.

Admittedly, this has come at the cost of properly challenging for the title but there are other factors in play. Subpar managers and Bayern’s overwhelming influence in attracting top talent attribute to Dortmund’s difficulties instead of the way the club is run.

The home of the Yellow Wall pride themselves on the way they negotiate. Manchester United have been after Jadon Sancho for what seems like forever yet Dortmund have not budged on their valuation of the player. They are content with the Englishman leaving, so long as they get adequate funds to get a solid replacement and to continue to build the squad.

This is the stance Arsenal must take in the summer. Players can’t go for less than they are worth. This will only make it harder for the club to adequately replace those players, much less upgrade them. Selling well is crucial to raise the funds that Mikel Arteta will certainly be keen to spend in the transfer window.