The transfer window remains open, with clubs heavily involved in talks for new players. Arsenal has grabbed a strong start, with six players, including the soon-to-be-announced Viktor Gyokeres. Mikel Arteta has begun pre-season preparations, too, but plenty of questions remain.
Alexander Isak’s situation at Newcastle United has created a market opportunity, with fans of plenty of clubs wondering whether they have a chance to sign the Swede. Yet the threat of some of Arsenal’s title rivals and their own business has other supporters concerned for the Gunners’ chances.
Therefore, with transfers reaching a crescendo, it felt like the time for a Q&A session with our chief Arsenal correspondent, Tom Canton. Here are some of the highlights.
Question: Is there anywhere in reality we could actually try and get Isak AND Eze?
Should the club sell Jesus, Trossard (plus Zinchenko/Lokonga/Viera/Nelson[if not loaned]) is there anywhere in the universe this could happen?
Tom Canton: Sadly, I do not think so. Gabriel Jesus is not expected to be sold, period, as he remains out injured until the end of the year with this knee rehabilitation.
The sale of Trossard would undoubtedly bring in the most money, but even then, with the other four mentioned, sales would not be enough to consider a move for Isak.
The club is hopeful of a move for Eberechi Eze if they can move on some of those you mentioned, let alone Isak. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Liverpool looks like his most likely destination.
Question: I had a friend ask me a question that made my head spin, and I refused to answer, so I thought I’d torture you with it as well. If you were told that you can have Isak, but it will cost you Saliba, what do you do? Because I don’t think I could do it. I love Saliba, and I feel like he stops goals at a higher rate than Isak scores them. But I don’t know… It’s tough.
Tom Canton: It is a great question, and for me, it has a simple but perhaps controversial answer.
I think that William Saliba’s presence in this Arsenal team is far more important than Isak’s if he had joined. Arsenal came close to winning the league with Kai Havertz as their main centre-forward, but Saliba’s presence was undeniably vital.
Saliba is far harder to replace, hence why the club have moved for Gyokeres this summer. Maybe not everyone will agree, but I’d rather keep the Frenchman.
Question: What’s the latest on exits? Seems like there are a handful of players who could leave the club.
Tom Canton: Yes, there is a great need to move some players on, and of course, it tends to be the month of August when the fringe players are the subject of more interest as clubs work further down their priority lists of targets.
So far, though, it has remained very quiet. Fulham hold the most active interest in an Arsenal player, Reiss Nelson, with discussions ongoing over a loan with a view to a permanent deal.
However, for Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko, it remains quiet. It would be a surprise now if either Gabriel Martinelli and/or Leandro Trossard were to be sold – a big swing would be needed.
Question: With the additions to the squad this summer (especially if we manage to add Eze on top of already-done business), it’s safe to say that our squad is much stronger than last year.
However, given the strengthening of other teams (Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea), do you think our chances of winning the league are higher than last year? How would you rate our chances?
Tom Canton: Yes, Liverpool, City, and Chelsea have all strengthened, others too.
It makes the challenge of winning the league title that much more difficult, but this typically happens every single year. Players also develop, mature, and improve naturally, and this young Arsenal squad is now entering the prime years for many of its starters.
It’s important to point out that before any business happened, Arsenal already had an excellent team, one that came within a single victory of winning the title two seasons ago. It was injuries that were so damaging last season, but this time around, the Gunners have arguably made the most difference to their problem areas of any group and therefore have the potential for the best upside. The Gunners have better chances this time around, certainly, regardless of rival business.
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