Arsenal: 5 transfers that need to be successful

Arsenal concluded their summer business with one half of the window less successful than the other.

An astounding amount of work has been undertaken across the squad over the last 12 months with activity in the departure lounge starting to take shape back in January: Sead Kolasinac, Shkodran Mustafi, Mesut Ozil and Sokratis were all moved on in some capacity during the month.

Not in the manner desired, of course. There were multiple financial hits taken in order to facilitate some of those exits, while others were simple loan deals just to bring a degree of harmony into the camp.

This summer transfer window continued that trend. Bringing in six players for a combined fee of around £150m was a huge step towards attaining balance and security. The age profiles ensure that whatever happens with the new arrivals, be them successful or not, they won’t enter the latter stages of their contracts on huge wages without resale value.

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5 transfers that Arsenal desperately need to be successful after a summer transfer window were sales were poorly managed in Mikel Arteta’s squad

It’s a huge step in the right direction even if some additional experience would have been desired to supplement those arrivals.

Any incomings were going to be met with numerous outgoings, although despite the difficulties of navigating through this window with a wealth of players either unaffordable or unwanted by European sides, the end result was disappointing.

Only Joe Willock left for a fee this window, one that reinforces how excellent the £25m deal was, with the rest being made up of various different means.

Given the expenditure, Arsenal have to hope there are successes to come over the coming season to justify the manner of the exits. Ironically, having not relied on the individuals previously, they are now resting all their hope on an unwanted few doing what they weren’t deemed capable of in north London.

1. Reiss Nelson – Feyenoord

Deal: Simple loan
Contract expiry: 2023

Unlike Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal managed to convince Reiss Nelson that signing a new contract at the club was the best move for his career. Had he have turned the extension down with a deal walking away for free.

Agreeing to a year extension, Feyenoord were the club that won the race to sign Nelson on a season-long loan.

This is a defining period in the forward’s career having yet to play a full season of football since bursting onto the scene. With a value shot to pieces having barely featured under Mikel Arteta, a successful spell in a technical league – that should suit his style – has the chance to open up his options come the following summer.

If he thrives he either returns to Arsenal as a senior option (unlikely) or boosts his value enough for Arsenal to welcome some form of Premier League bidding war. There is still money to be made on Nelson and regular top-flight minutes are imperative to that.

2. Alex Runarsson – OH Leuven

Deal: Loan with option to buy
Contract expiry: 2024

Newly promoted Turkish sides and mid-table Belgian teams appear to be Alex Runarsson’s level. While there would have been interest in Europe, these were the sides that Arsenal felt were the best options for the Icelandic keeper this window.

A move to Altay S.K broke down in the final stages and it took until deadline day for an agreement to be struck to see the 26-year-old leave north London.

OH Leuven finished 11th in the 18-team Belgian Pro League last season and have started the current campaign off in far worse fashion: four draws and two defeats from their opening six matches has them sitting in 17th.

Surprisingly, the loan deal OH Leuven agreed with Arsenal includes a buy option. Confirmed by the Belgian club, if Runarsson has a successful spell and the clause is triggered it saves the Gunners the effort of needing to scour the lower reaches of European football once again for a new buyer.

Having paid less than £2m in the first place, whatever the purchase price is won’t be anything above that. That much can be sure.

The concerns are, of course, if his temporary employers get relegated. Equally, if Runarsson isn’t deemed of the standard required over there, he unlikely will be elsewhere.

3. Lucas Torreira – Fiorentina

Deal: Loan with option to buy
Contract expiry: 2023

At long last, Lucas Torreira has been moved on. Well, sort of. Not really. He’s still officially an Arsenal player.

Hoping for a permanent conclusion was being too ambitious.

Despite being linked with every single club in Italy and spending his time out at theme parks in Madrid in the middle of Arsenal being pummeled by Ivan Toney, it took until the latter reaches of the window to find Torreira a club.

Fiorentina secured his signature on a loan move, one that includes and option to buy for £12.8m. Arsenal also received a £1.35m loan fee.

An unused substitute in his first match since joining, a 2-1 win over Torino, everyone in north London is crossing their fingers and hoping there isn’t another Atletico Madrid repeat on the cards.

With only one year left on his deal come the end of the season, if Arsenal can earn around £14m in total for the Uruguayan it would be welcomed with open arms. This is a move that has to pay off for all parties.

4. Hector Bellerin – Real Betis

Deal: Simple loan
Contract expiry: 2023

Having known about his desire to leave since the beginning of last season and then made clear once more in January, that it took until deadline day for Arsenal to secure a move that all parties wanted is extremely disappointing.

How did that come about? From what was mentioned across the summer, Arsenal set out their stall too high to begin with. Rebuffing all approaches that weren’t permanent deals, they then lowered their terms to loan deals with obligation, then loan deals with an option to buy and eventually got Hector Bellerin off the books on a simple loan.

While Betis have no purchase clause in the deal, Marca state that the Spaniard ‘has it in his power’ to extend his stay beyond the current campaign having parted with such a significant amount money to facilitate the move. Why his reduced salary means he he has the power to stay longer is anyone’s guess.

However, with just one year remaining on his deal when he returns, a fruitful campaign as the starting right-back is precisely what he and Arsenal need in order to cut ties amicably for both parties.

At least he’s going to play every week.

5. William Saliba – Marseille

Deal: Simple loan
Contract expiry: 2024

The question of whether William Saliba has a future at Arsenal is a long-standing one. Now on his third loan move to Ligue 1 following his £27m signing, when the Frenchman does return to Arsenal it will be with two years left on his deal.

Prime selling time, or prime renewing time.

Having signed Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the summer, two players who can play at right centre-back or on the right of a back three, any signs Saliba may be looking for to indicate he can have a future at Arsenal are fading.

That said, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding may move on at the end of the season opening up space in the backup slot in either centre-back position, or if he has another storming campaign – which he’s en route to this term – could he be a first team challenger?

In either case, he needs to excel once more whether that’s to return to Arsenal, or be sold. Because, despite how well he’s been playing, who is seriously going to stump up around £30m for  then 21-year-old who can’t get into an Arsenal side ahead of Holding and Mari?

Arsenal look destined to take a hit on their initial outlay. Therefore, this could do with being the season where Saliba crushes Ligue 1, improves aerially and in the tackle, and comes back a complete defender. That’s the hope.