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Arsenal will face a big summer, and it might be key in keeping players at the club.
The lack of transfer activity from Arsenal since last summer has been alarming, particularly in the attacking positions.
This was made abundantly clear when Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli were all sidelined for an extended period of time, with Havertz and Jesus ruled out for the year just before the January window closed.
For most, that meant that the Gunners would stutter and ultimately fail in their Premier League title bid, which, while not mathematically out of it, essentially are.
Due to no out-and-out striker at the club due to injury, the Gunners haven't had the player to take advantage of the numerous chances that have been created, and as such, the Gunners' title bid fell away rather quickly.
That is why the summer transfer business is so crucial for Arsenal, and it might be an even bigger deal with what we think is something the club simply has to consider going forward.
Arsenal face defining summer
The lack of signings has been met with discontent from not only the fan base, but media outlets and pundits from across the football landscape, and in truth, they aren't wrong.
But the Gunners have a chance to rectify it this summer, and with Alexander Isak thought to be one of Arsenal's top priorities this summer, getting that deal over the line would take a herculean effort given Newcastle's reported reluctance to sell.
However, we offer this as a reason for Mikel Arteta and the club to loosen the purse strings and seriously upgrade the squad - keeping star players.
What do we mean? Glad you asked.
Bukayo Saka is one player who if he left the club, it would be utter devastation and with his contract up at the end of the 2026-27 season, that isn't too far away.
The Gunners will want Saka to stay, but as is the case with most players, they want to win trophies and for the club to do their best to achieve that. If the Gunners don't sign a quality attacker or upgrade the squad in a manner that signals their intent, what reason would Saka, or even the likes of William Saliba etc, have to sign new deals?
If the club lacks ambition as we saw with Robin van Persie, players look for pastures new, which puts even more pressure on the club to get serious in the summer.
And not for fans, but for star players who will be coming out of contract soon or who are getting interest from other clubs.
If Bukayo left due to discontent with the club not doing enough to challenge for honors, then one could only imagine the backlash - and it wouldn't be pretty.