Andrea Berta criticism, Viktor Gyokeres transfer priority queried and Arsenal sales situation

After a positive end to June and the advancement in talks over a move for Viktor Gyokeres, the mood has dipped among the Arsenal fan base. Questions over the time taken to complete marquee deals and the decision to invest so much in Noni Madueke are prevalent.

The club want to sign even more attacking talent after Madueke is confirmed in addition to a defender. Many questions are being asked and the supporters have not been quiet in their right to ask them.

Therefore, with so much transfer chat ongoing it felt like the time for a Q&A session with our chief Arsenal correspondent Tom Canton. Here are some of the highlights.

Question: How do you see Madueke’s arrival changing the attacking line? Is he really a £50m back up or is Martinelli in danger? And what about Trossard and Nwaneri? Trossard was in contract talks, could he leave now? Is a loan for Nwaneri possible?

Tom Canton: I don’t think it will change the starting three. I believe he will be seen predominantly as a player to off competition and rotation for Bukayo Saka who will know has desperately needed a player of such ilk. Ethan Nwaneri is seen as a player whose future lies more centrally while the potential of Eberechi Eze’s arrival would see him take the left-hand side slot. A front three of Saka, Eze and, we hope, Viktor Gyokeres I think is quite exciting. Trossard, Martinelli and Madueke become options for Arteta to change things with.

Regarding a loan for Nwaneri, if the right offer came following a contract renewal then that is a possible route, especially with Max Dowman considered to be a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans

Question: I’m confused? Berta has bought three players so far, now if he completes the other two being talked about (Madueke & Mosquera) that will be five players signed? Only one, Zubimendi, is a first team starter and four players for the bench? Arsenal should have prioritised on Gyokeres & Eze, then buy the bit-part back-up players right?

Tom Canton: The order in which transfers are completed does not necessarily indicate the club’s priorities. Some deals just take longer to complete than others, and multiple deals are worked on holistically and not in a linear, one-after-the-other fashion.

With the fourth signing of Madueke nearly done, talks are continuing over Mosquera, Gyokeres and Eze would would make it seven potential signings which has the potential to break a record in spending for Arsenal.

Question: What’s the latest with outgoings? Plenty being spent on new arrivals but does that mean the club need to sell?

Tom Canton: So far there is very little going on regarding outgoing and news that Leandro Trossard is more likely to stay means even fewer chances of potential financial boosts.

That said, the likes of Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko, with respect, are not players expected to feature high on clubs’ list of priority targets and as such are expected to see greater interest as the window develops and club’s miss out of targets and look down their list of options.

Question: Can I suggest money well spent on Andrea Berta’s return ticket to Spain because his world renowned strategy looks very thin does it not?

Tom Canton: Well, Berta’s plan would be considered anything except thin when looking at the whole picture. Three signings done, a fourth agreed and talks over three more underway. Arsenal might have one of their busiest and most expensive summers ever.

Berta has been working on multiple profiles for different positions enabling Arsenal to do so much before the pre-season friendlies begin in just under a fortnight’s time.

Question: For me as an Arsenal fan I only yearn for Gyokeres and maybe Rodrygo from Madrid if possible?

Tom Canton: Well, the hope is that you will be sated in your yearning for Viktor Gyokeres. Certainly, everything is being done to try and bring him to Arsenal from the club and player’s side. After a short break in talks there is set to be more discussions where the aim is for both teams to come to an agreement.

Regarding Rodrygo, that will depend more on the player, who would need to want to leave and join Arsenal, and the Gunners would need to be able to stump up the asking price.