Arsenal are making the double transfer decision Mikel Arteta has waited 12 months

The summer of 2024 was a frustrating one for Arsenal. They spent plenty of time over the three permanent transfers and ultimately, failed to improve Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

Compared to the 2023 window, which included Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and the initial loan of David Raya, it was quite the disappointment. Instead, Riccardo Calafiori had a peripheral year, impacted largely by injuries, and Mikel Merino struggled to make an impact until being used up front as a makeshift option in the absence of Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Raya’s loan turning permanent was arguably the most successful part of the recruitment. Raheem Sterling and Neto arrived on deadline day as emergency loanees to cover gaps but had very little success.

Although Calafiori could have helped to act as backup for Timber – who ended up having to play from the right more often than not due to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s fitness problems – it was the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelley that really aided Arteta. The youngster got his chance and never let it go despite moving from midfield into defence.

That Arsenal had these issues and still made it so far in Europe, not helped by any January transfer additions (to the frustration of many) is a credit to the work of those who were available. It came at the cost of a prolonged or serious title charge, but Arsenal did manage to make a fist of the Champions League.

Now, with Andrea Berta on board and attempting to put the pawns in place for a genuine Premier League challenge next season, Arteta is likely to get the upgrades he went without last year. Arsenal’s best XI was not changed due to new signings last year, but the same will surely not be true here.

Whereas it was Lewis-Skelley and a positional swap for Timber, that Arsenal eventually settled on, neither Calafiori or Merino really held down a spot in their main position. Merino played a useful role but is not the sort of player to lead a team to major trophies as a striker.

To avoid using the Spaniard there again, Arsenal are targeting a proper No.9. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the main two options. Both have their pros and cons. What is clear is that if either are signed, Arsenal would be adding a profile to their squad that they did not have before.

With Merino and Calafiori, that simply was not true. Having gone so long in need of another striker due to Jesus’ injuries, this is an overdue transfer.

Whether Sesko or Gyokeres actually displace Havertz immediately is another question entirely. Having the choice to bring on or rotate with another striker is not a luxury that Arteta has been able to afford, though.

Jesus has been battling form and fitness since the end of his first year in north London. It has left Arteta short and overreliant on Havertz. Others have deputised briefly but never to enough effect.

Arsenal are focusing on multiple other deals as well. Kepa Arrizabalaga is the longer-term backup goalkeeper to fight with Raya, but more than likely just act as a good hand in training and play in cup matches. He fills that role with experience and a low transfer fee.

Neto was never really trusted by Arteta and didn’t have to be. He was unable to play in the Carabao Cup, though, which did leave Arsenal exposed to some risk of injury.

Then, moving into midfield, and Christian Norgaard is the unspectacular and far from flashy enforcer to essentially replace Thomas Partey. Whether or not he has a big part to play will wait to be seen but is more than serviceable in a pivot or as a No.6 on his own.

Whereas Rice had to play almost every minute of every game last year, Arsenal are restocking the centre of the park after Jorginho’s exit. Add in Martin Zubimendi, and Arsenal will be in a strong spot to make changes to their team when needed.

That is another area that Arteta simply did not really turn to last season. Jorginho was a bit-part player, at best, and Merino either did not entirely settle or was being used as a striker. Next season, the picture will be different.

And then there is the winger. Whether it is Rodrygo, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, or somebody else, Arsenal will be aiming to address the hole behind Bukayo Saka. As well as keeping the main man on his toes, Arsenal need genuine rotation for him.

Versatility on the flanks will also help to push Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, keeping up the high standards as well as providing Arteta with something new to turn to. He had to use Ethan Nwaneri on the right during Saka’s spell on the sidelines last season, which isn’t viable at this stage for a team attempting to compete on multiple fronts.

Whether or not the new Arsenal winger starts ahead of Martinelli, because they will certainly not be in front of Saka, is besides the point when it means extra cover, competition, and rotation options. So, Arsenal’s summer recruitment may only be addressing two clear holes in the starting XI (in midfield and maybe up front) but the quality of depth options is set to improve dramatically in at least three positions (goalkeeper, midfield, and striker).

It will be a huge boost for Arteta, who was not able to confidently say that his playing group were better after last year’s transfer window, and that is never the aim heading into one.