2 positives & negatives from Arsenal's summer transfer window

The 2024 summer transfer window has now slammed shut, and Arsenal did its fair share of business.

The Gunners signed five first team players and sold three. Two players were brought into the club's academy, with another three moved on while a handful of players from both the first team and youth sides were loaned out.

Arsenal fans have a mixed view on the window with some believing all matters were attended to while others feel they were not. Regardless, there are two positives and negatives to take from the Gunners' summer transfer window.

Positive #1: Most deadwood gone

One of Arsenal's main priorities this summer was to rid the squad of any unwanted players and they were successful in doing this.

Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah were all sold throughout the window after limited game time last season. The likes of Mika Biereth and Charlie Patino were also moved on from the club's academy.

The Gunners also sanctioned loans for several players in need of regular game time. Karl Hein, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson were all loaned out from the first team in order to improve and gain valuable experience. Academy stars Jack Henry-Francis and Charles Sagoe Jr. also earned temporary moves away.

Arsenal did well to not only sell unwanted players but also get decent fees for them, something the club have struggled to do over the past years. Excluding potential add-ons, the Gunners earned a total income of £76.7m.

Negative #1: Some unwanted players remain

While Arsenal managed to ship most unwanted players, there are two that remain in North London. Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior were both expected to leave the club this summer but neither completed moves away.

Tierney's Gunners career is practically over, having fallen down the left back pecking order since the 2022-23 campaign. Many expected him to be sold this summer but an injury and a lack of interest meant he did not depart.

Kiwior was also another player who many thought would be sold during the window. The Poland international operated at left back for much of last season but the introduction of Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly to the squad, along with the presence of Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko, means he is unlikely to get chances throughout this campaign.

It would have been wiser for the club to try their hardest to offload these two players but given the lack of interest, this proved to be incredibly difficult. Kiwior is likely to be utilized as a squad player until January at least. Anything is possible, and Tierney could break back into the squad upon his return from injury.

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