Arsenal: 3 players missed out on in summer transfer window

Arsenal are working tirelessly to improve their squad this summer, even if some will be enjoying some time abroad about now, and the amount of drama that has unfolded even before the transfer window opens is quite remarkable.

It’s always a testing time. Fed stories left, right centre with varying degrees of legitimacy, the off-season truly tests the fans’ emotional resolve. Utter dejection can turn to unbridled joy in an instant.

There are well over 12 weeks to go until final assessments on Mikel Arteta’s transfer business can be made, although the early signs aren’t overly positive as the window prepares to open on June 9.

Across the team Arsenal are looking for reinforcements. The amount of names being linked with a move to the Emirates continues to climb, just as the list of targets slowly gets whittled down. In many cases, the latter point isn’t a positive one.

Arsenal: 3 players missed out on in summer transfer window after Emi Buendia snubs Gunners for Aston Villa

One player the Gunners have already missed out on is Emi Buendia. The Argentine playmaker was offered the same personal terms as Aston Villa had provided, but made his decision based on the pathway into the first team he would be offered under Dean Smith. He informed Edu of his decision on Friday, reports the Independent.

It’s done now. Case closed. Move on.

But will Arsenal suffer more heartbreak? Another notable individual who seems to have slipped through their grasp is Ryan Bertrand. On the pursuit of a backup left-back for Kieran Tierney, the former Southampton (and Chelsea) defender was seen as the ideal stopgap option to fill in that role, one who would arrive on a free transfer and suit the homegrown quota.

The Athletic reveal has since been swayed by Leicester and European football, something to entice him as he enters the twilight of his career. That one is no huge miss. Long-term contracts for players over 30 has to stop.

Finding a left-back to fit the criteria is extremely difficult. Josh Doig can be thrown into the equation as he no longer looks north London bound, largely in part, one can imagine, to the role he’d play.

Anyone coming in will be well aware that Kieran Tierney won’t be usurped, thus finding the right quality who will accept a slower start to life at the club as understudy is no easy feat. It’s a very hard profile to source and a tough sell.

The latest added to the list will come as a blow to some and not to others, with the fanbase split on what is actually needed this summer with some departments looking well stocked.

Continued…

Arsenal Lose Out to Leicester for Odsonne Edouard

The third one that has been in the pipeline for some time is Odsonne Edouard. Coming into the final 12 months of his Celtic contract the club have decided to cash in now as opposed to letting him leave for free next summer.

Arsenal have been tracking the 23-year-old striker for over a year now, but once again (via The Times) it is the Foxes who will pip the Gunners to the post with a £18m deal agreed that would see him reunited with Brendan Rodgers. It will be signed off once the Hoops announce their new manager. If the Gunners were to sign a centre-forward, it really could have helped with being him.

A wonderfully gifted centre-forward with an enticing all-round package, missing out on his signature will be more of a blow to some than others. Folarin Balogun has just penned a new deal and will be given some cup minutes (or be loaned) and with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli striker options, the need may not be so strong. Alexandre Lacazette may stay, too.

It could also be that Edouard was in reserve; a target should matters change with the current crop, although him no longer being available in such an eventuality is unfortunate.

Hardly the most encouraging start to the summer, but three deals that shouldn’t derail what is still a long and winding path ahead. What it says of Arsenal’s ‘pull’ isn’t exactly reassuring, however, and there are fears that the three rejections already could spark a domino effect with other players following suit.

But there mustn’t be any snap judgements yet. All anguish must be reserved for 31 August. Edu, Richard Garlick and Arteta haven’t got off the smoothest of starts this summer but what we know is only what we know. There is work going on behind the scenes that is kept under wraps, just as there is work going on in the public eye that may be there for a reason.

It’s early days. Just better hope that Newport County don’t come in and outbid Arsenal for Andre Onana.