Arsenal have enjoyed a busy summer as they attempt to finally win the Premier League more than a decade after their last title. There could yet be more business as Mikel Arteta seeks to end a five-year trophy drought. Express Sport takes the reins and analyses what could happen at the Emirates Stadium over the coming weeks.
Alexander Isak U-turn made
Arsenal seem set to finally land Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting following a lengthy saga. However, with the deal costing only an initial £54.5million, there could still be funds in the bank. It may require significant departures, but Alexander Isak should remain high on Arsenal’s agenda.
A blockbuster move for Gyokeres’ fellow Swede is not out of the realm of possibility. Isak has reportedly asked to leave Newcastle, meaning interested parties are in a strong negotiating position. Even with Gyokeres signing for Arsenal, there will be room in Mikel Arteta’s attack for both, potentially in a fluid two-striker system, which is becoming increasingly popular.
Liverpool are the only serious contenders for Isak on the market at this stage. Arsenal could do a lot worse than rivalling the current Premier League champions with a bid. It would be a huge statement of intent from the North Londoners.
Eberechi Eze transfer agreed
Arsenal have long been linked with Eberechi Eze and should make a deal happen over the coming weeks. The creative midfielder has only two years remaining on his Crystal Palace contract, potentially making him available for a bargain fee.
A versatile player who can feature as a No. 10, No. 8 or as a left winger, Eze would suit plenty of roles in Arteta’s system. At 27, this could be the final summer for the England international to earn a move to a Big Six club.
North London rivals Tottenham have also been linked, although they seem keen to explore alternative attacking options. Arsenal could therefore have a free run at a player who would create a huge number of chances for Gyokeres.
Raising funds through sales
Arsenal have spent huge sums of cash even without potential deals for Isak and Eze. Cristian Mosquera became the latest arrival last week, while Gyokeres will almost certainly arrive, too. There may need to be some significant sales over the next few weeks.
Around a combined £80m could be fetched for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. There remains uncertainty over Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori preferred at left-back. There have even been suggestions that Kai Havertz could depart.