Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Mikel Arteta & Edu are leading a new-look Arsenal revolution

By Adam Schultz

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts on the final whistle in the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 23, 2022. - Arsenal won the game 3-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts on the final whistle in the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 23, 2022. - Arsenal won the game 3-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After a relatively quiet opening to the transfer window, Arsenal’s player recruitment has been pushed into overdrive, with more signings potentially to come.

It feels like forever since the club headed into the summer full of expectation. After a season that saw Arsenal climb to fifth after back-to-back eighth-placed finishes, the improvement is there for all to see.

Not only that, but the club has also gone through significant change. Players have been moved on that did not align with the core values of Mikel Arteta with the Spaniard changing the culture for the better.

The wage bill was cut in half in just one season as the club was hamstrung by huge contracts, while fringe players making big weekly wages have either been released (Willian) or moved to other clubs (Sead Kolasinac, for example).

Heading into the summer window, what was needed was clear for everyone. A threadbare squad (done on purpose), wages trimmed, and a fresh outlook with the knowledge of precisely what the team needs to jump into the top four next season.

Arsenal’s transfer business shows the club is getting it right

The first few weeks were quiet on the transfer front, but over the last week, it has been pushed into hyperdrive. Arteta wanted another creative midfielder to help ease the burden on Martin Odegaard and provide depth and competition. Fabio Vieira was signed. Tick.

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With Eddie Nketiah being the club’s only recognised striker, another forward needed to be brought in. Not just any run-of-the-mill forward as we have seen in previous years, either, but a genuine world-class option. Arteta got Gabriel Jesus. Tick.

While some will question his “world-class” status or the fact that he is just as much a winger as a striker, Arsenal are getting a forward of top quality that banged in goals for reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Those are two great signings for the club. Then there’s Raphinha. I am a little more pessimistic about this one, given that the club is not his first choice and Leeds’ lofty valuation. But Arteta and Arsenal are determined to bring the touchline winger to the Emirates.

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Interest in Youri Tielemans has reportedly cooled in recent days. As we saw with Fabio Vieira, it might not be the household name like a Tielemans that is signed (although reportedly the club is still interested), but another player who is just off the radar. His potential signing would be another superb addition to an area of the field that perhaps needs the most attention.

The club is moving swiftly to sign their targets, not the shopping trolly dashes of transfer deadline days of the past. It’s so refreshing to see.

We don’t have to wait until the inevitable deadline day to see which players the club will sign for cheap as a short-term fix. Arteta and Edu have identified and gotten their players. Suddenly, with the start of pre-season imminent, the club could have all of their summer acquisitions ready for the tour of the USA.

There is an air of anticipation around the club and the fanbase. The signing of Gabriel Jesus is a signal of intent that the club means business. Add in Raphinha, Tielemans and even Lisandro Martinez from Ajax who provides depth at three positions, expectations will be sky-high for the upcoming season. How refreshing! Even Gary Neville might fancy our chances.

https://twitter.com/TheAFCnewsroom/status/1540789439353393155?s=20&t=zNQdkE6WiRJe4PqzmrBWWg

While other clubs are moving slowly this summer, Arteta and Edu are moving through their list of targets with precision. As others are linked to the club, should deals be agreed, the build-up to the season will be unlike anything we have experienced in the last decade.

That is something that should get every Gooner on the planet excited. Is Arsenal moving on from also-rans; the club brushed aside for previous failings and not seen worthy of a place at the top four table?

Going by the last couple of weeks, Arsenal isn’t after just a seat at the table; they want THE seat, and it appears they will do whatever they have to to get it.

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