3 intangible qualities transfer targets would bring to Arsenal

1. Experience

Experience is often equated with a winning mentality. Yet it extends far beyond that. Experience is certainly helpful in cup finals but even more important is how to deal with stress and expectation.

In the face of Champions League qualification, Arsenal crumbled. Defeated handily by noisy neighbours, they were tepid against Newcastle. Although there were no trophies at stake, there was still a noticeable lack of experience on the pitch.

Tricky fixtures, difficult game-states and crucial run-ins that can define a season all have ways of being dealt with. Most of the young players in the squad have never had to sustain a challenge for the top four. They don’t fully understand how to manage their bodies and affect games week in and week out. They don’t understand how to approach games like away trips to Southampton or Brighton. Once again, the transfer targets bring invaluable experience.

The mental pressure of going toe-to-toe with Liverpool, not for one or two games, but for an entire 38-game season is incredibly taxing. Yet Jesus has dealt with that before. Likewise, Martinez has been a part of Ajax sides sustaining deep domestic and Champions League runs. One mistake and a season can crumble. Both Jesus and Martinez have been there and done that and will provide these insights, among others, to a young squad.