Arsenal: 3 statement transfers to prove the Kroenke’s ambition

The plethora of issues Mikel Arteta has had to deal with since he became Arsenal manager has not been restricted to the pitch. Contracting COVID-19 was the beginning of a string of difficulties. Larger ones have arisen in the shape of pay cuts, difficult contract situations and unhappy players, along with the disaster of the creation of the Super League and the subsequent pushback and protest from fans.

The tenuous and fractured relationship between the fans and the owners deteriorated even more with scrutiny on not just the manager but also other executives, like Edu. Arteta has repeatedly mentioned the support of the Kroenke ownership and the constant communication with them, ensuring that they are on the same page. Yet the fruits of these labors have yet to be seen.

The only first team signing this summer has been Ben White. While there are still a few weeks before the end of the window, the owners have a mountain of work to do to regain what scraps of trust their were before the Super League fiasco.

Nothing serves as a more of a distraction from off-field issues, however, than on-field success. In an upcoming campaign that will be crucial in defining the path that Arsenal will follow in the coming years. Arteta has his work cut out for him.

Arsenal: 3 statement transfers to prove the Kroenke’s ambition and give supporters genuine reason to be excited this summer window

Should his comments about the backing of KSE have any truth to them, it has to be seen this window. The purse strings must be loosened to ensure that Arsenal stop sliding down the table before they can eventually begin to climb up.

It is high time for the club to prove that they are serious about changing the fortunes of the club. Here are three crucial statement signings the Kroenke’s could make in order to show their ambition.

3. Bernardo Silva

Seeing Arsenal’s painfully slow build-up play combined with endless sideways and backwards passing, particularly during the first half of last season, would have had countless Arsenal fans turning off their TV in anger.

Generations of new supporters have grown up accustomed to Arsene Wenger’s style of play: small, quick technical players who shift the ball at breakneck speed. Left to right and, most importantly, forward, the ball moved, keeping up the intensity but also having supporters glued to their screens, watching beautiful, pure football being played. Entertainment.

Part of the loss of this “Arsenal DNA” has to do with those donning the kit. The likes of Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny and Rob Holding are not the most adventurous or comfortable on the ball, to say the least. It is clear that these players will have reduced roles in the coming season. The right signing in the top half of the pitch is even more important.

A number of names have surfaced in transfer rumors: Houssem Aouar, Manuel Locatelli and James Maddison have all made the rounds. The latter has particularly grabbed the headlines of late and one that has by contrast slipped under the radar is Bernardo Silva. The Telegraph has reported that Manchester City will be looking to move on the midfielder for around €60m. Arsenal are said to be keen.

This fee will price out most clubs. Should Arsenal find the funds, however, this is one of many signings they should certainly be looking to make. Still only 26, Bernardo Silva has showcased his ability time and time again in the Premier League. A left-footed technical genius, he would prove to be a perfect foil to Emile Smith Rowe.

Whereas Smith Rowe makes intelligent and incisive runs to create space, Silva is more of a pass-centric player, receiving the ball in tight spaces and making divine out to in runs before moving it on quickly. Add to that his versatility in playing on the wing, in a midfield three or in the hole behind the striker and you have a wonderful player, proven at the highest level of English football, trained by arguably the best manager of all time who is still in his prime.

This signing would require the Kroenke’s to open their wallets but Silva would be worth every penny.

2. James Maddison

James Maddison is everything that fans have clamored for but not received for years. An extremely talented player, a silky smooth playmaker, a homegrown star and a member of a rival club to boot. It would be nice to sign a Premier League player who isn’t over 30 and lives around the corner.

Too often have Arsenal been priced out of moves for rival players, instead signing cheaper foreign players with the hope of developing them instead of moving for one who could fit here and now.

The focus on attack-minded midfielders has been clear to see throughout the summer. And for good reason. Smith Rowe had a breakout season last year but the dangers of overburdening youngsters has been seen before. Despite being awarded a new contract as well as the prestigious No. 10, bringing in a Premier League-proven signing to not replace but play alongside the Croydon De Bruyne would be an astute move.

Maddison’s talent is clear to see and signing him from Leicester, who finished above Arsenal last season, would be a strong statement of intent.

No longer would the London club be content with selling their own gems to rivals for cheap or nonexistent fees. Instead they would be brave, direct and focused in acquiring talent that would elevate the team’s performance.

1. Lionel Messi (Actually, let’s go with Lautaro Martinez)

Inter Milan’s financial difficulties have been well documented. They will need to move on at least one star player this summer to alleviate these issues with Chelsea edging closer to a deal with Romelu Lukaku while Arsenal remain interested in Lautaro Martinez.

It is unlikely, however, that the Italian giants would be willing to let go of both prized assets. Time is up for Arsenal to win the race of the Inter strikers but they mustn’t let that stop them.

Should they somehow be willing to get a deal done, it would send shock-waves through the Arsenal fanbase and the rest of the continent: Martinez is the model striker that could immediately slot into and improve the front line.

Quick, technical and lethal, the Argentine gets fans off their feet with his intelligent off-the-ball runs and clinical finishing. His age is just another bonus. The 23-year-old would be of the age to provide a more youthful option to Aubameyang while not stunting the development of youngsters Folarin Balogun and Gabriel Martinelli.

Inter could be willing to move if the money is right. The player would be willing to move having seen the Serie A champions fall apart this summer. The only thing standing in the way of Arsenal is Arsenal. Chelsea is effective in getting their deals done and if Arsenal drag their feet any longer, a magnificent statement signing could slip out of their grasp. Fans wait with bated breath and hope Martinez will suit up in the red and white next season.

All three signings above will be expensive. Transfer fees have risen exponentially in the past few years. Yet the only way to improve is to invest money in bringing in markedly better players.

Josh Kroenke uttered those cursed words insisting that fans should ‘be excited’. Disaster after disaster has taken place and fans continue to wait to be excited. Should Arsenal make any one, if not more, of the signings above, some credence would finally be given to their thus far empty words. Let us hope this is indeed the case come the end of the window.