There was always going to be a season where things did not go to plan for Manchester City. Unfortunately for Arsenal, it was Liverpool who got their hands on the Premier League title in the 2024/25 campaign.
Previously going head-to-head with City for the title but ultimately falling short and finishing in second place two years on the spin, Mikel Arteta and his impressive Arsenal side just couldn’t take the final step as Arne Slot made it a debut season to remember at Anfield. Heading into the new season, Liverpool are favourites with the bookmakers to regain the title, with Manchester City and Arsenal next in line.
For Arsenal to realise their dream and become No.1 in England for the first time since 2004, transfers are needed to elevate Arteta’s team to the next level. Most importantly, a goalscorer is required to shoot the team to the titles they are dreaming of.
Andrea Berta and Arsenal have been linked with a number of players so far this summer but at present they have yet to confirm the arrival of a new signing at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester City, on the other hand, have been extremely active in the transfer market and have so far registered the arrival of four new players.
Tijjani Reijnders became the latest addition on Wednesday morning after joining from AC Milan in a deal worth £46.5million. The midfielder has wowed for Milan and Netherlands over the past couple of years and he could prove to be a very smart signing by Pep Guardiola and Co.
Reijnders’ move to the Etihad Stadium follows that of Rayan Cherki, who joined from Lyon for £30.45milllion 24 hours earlier. The attacking midfielder made a huge name for himself in France and a move to one of Europe’s biggest sides always appeared a matter of time.
Marcus Bettinelli also signed on the dotted line on Tuesday as he departed Chelsea to provide cover in the goalkeeping department. Rayan Ait-Nouri was Guardiola’s first signing of the summer after joining in a £36.3million deal from Wolves after a standout season at Molineux.
The quartet are crucially in place ahead of the Club World Cup, with Reijnders, Cherki and Ait-Nouri in a position to feature and build a rapport with their new teammates prior to the new Premier League season commencing on Friday, August 15. That in turn could mean they are ready to attack the new campaign from the get-go as their settling-in period will come during FIFA’s new tournament.
The summer additions, which so far total £113.25million, follow City splashing the cash back in January after their nightmare run of form from the start of November to the end of 2024. In a bid to put their slump to bed for good, the 2023 Champions League winners splurged £172.2million on the additions of Abdukodir Khusanov (£33.6million), Vitor Reis (£29.6million), Omar Marmoush (£59million) and Nico Gonzalez (£50million).
Marmoush did make an impact in what remained of the season after contributing with eight goals in 22 games. However, City may see a different side of him come August as he will have only benefitted from his first six months in the Premier League and a brand new country.
The same applies to Khusanov, Reis and Gonzalez as a new-look Manchester City side look to return to the summit of the Premier League and win silverware after uncharacteristically missing out on it last term. In a period where Arsenal have not spent a single penny on transfers, their rivals have paid out £285.45million as they reshape their squad.
Manchester City should certainly be pushing for the Premier League title next season, with their new additions potentially helping them get back to their previous heights after a season to forget at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal cannot afford to slip behind their rivals once again and transfers of their own are going to be key to making sure that does not happen.
At a time when rival clubs are concluding transfers, Arsenal and Berta now need to do the same.
