Arsenal’s summer transfer deadline day round-up

That’s all the 2023 summer transfer window wrote, folks!

Arsenal moved efficiently at the start of the window in a bid to wrap up their business long before desperation set in, and the club’s aim on deadline day was to shift a few unwanted faces.

The Gunners spent big to acquire Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and David Raya, but they’d struggle to gain much from sales. However, they did part ways with Hale End graduate Folarin Balogun for an apparent club-record departure.

Despite the club’s impressive business, Timber’s unfortunate long-term injury has left some fans sceptical in regards to Mikel Arteta’s defensive depth. “Sometimes you want to do everything that is needed, but sometimes it’s not possible and we have to adapt,” said the boss on deadline day, with the Gunners opting against bringing in a short-term solution to provide more defensive cover.

If Arsenal were going to spend late on in the window, it was surely going to be on another defender, but nothing materialised.

Arsenal’s summer transfer deadline day round-up

So, it was a relatively dreary deadline day for Arsenal supporters, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The final day of the window was all about outgoings.

The club sent Nuno Tavares on loan to Nottingham Forest for the 2023/24 season which seems like a good move for everyone involved. Tavares could play a big role in Steve Cooper’s wing-back system at the City Ground, and should he impress, Forest have the chance to purchase him permanently for £12m. It’d still be a profit on what Arsenal paid for the former Benfica man two years ago.

Moreover, Albert Sambi Lokonga finally got his move and joined Luton on loan. The Belgian was in attendance at Kenilworth Road on Friday night as the Hatters were beaten 2-1 by West Ham.

Arsenal were also able to agree a deal with Crystal Palace worth £4m for the services of long-time servant Rob Holding. The Englishman, who was perhaps a William Saliba injury away from earning more minutes in an Arsenal shirt again this season, will now provide cover for Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi in south London.

And that was pretty much it. Nothing too exciting, certainly bereft of the drama of 2013 when Mesut Ozil rocked up at the carpet.