4 transfers Arsenal should complete before the deadline

The clock is ticking on the 2022 summer transfer window and while Arsenal have already overseen considerable activity on both fronts this summer, there is still an expectation that the club will conduct further business in the weeks to come.

Electric starts to life in north London from new arrivals Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have immediately vindicated Mikel Arteta’s expensive recruitment tastes, and to secure maximum points after two tricky opening fixtures underlines the tremendous quality the club now boasts within its ranks.

However, media reports suggest the Gunners remain active in the market and are keen to add a few final touches to the squad in preparation for what promises to be a watershed campaign.

4 transfers Arsenal should complete before the end of the transfer window

Embellishments on the flanks and in central midfield are often cited as the most urgent matters to address if we are to reach the next level this year, and here are four transfers that the club should complete before the September 1st deadline.

Departure #1: Ainsley Maitland-Niles

His Arsenal career has wallowed in the doldrums for several years now but, after his recent return from an underwhelming six-month loan spell at Roma, it may be time for Maitland-Niles to finally seal a permanent move away from the Emirates Stadium.

The 24-year-old appeared to have a bright future in the early days of Arteta’s reign and completed 90 minutes in each of his first five matches in charge, with periods of great form even earning him a call-up to the England squad in autumn 2020.

But inconsistency and question marks about his application soon saw the ‘bird-catcher’ fall out of favour with the boss and, following a poor stint in the West Brom midfield during the pandemic, prospects of a Roman revival under Mourinho also dissipated as he made just two league appearances between late February and the end of the campaign.

He once famously stated that he wants to go “where I’m wanted” and with one year left on his current deal, his value will only continue to plummet ahead of a possible free transfer next year. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the club to quickly part ways and free up both wages and space for new recruits before the window shuts.

Continued on the next slide…