Arsenal are gearing up for a big summer transfer window this year, with Mikel Arteta admitting over the last few weeks that he was excited about what’s in store for the Gunners.
His side have come close to winning the league in each of the last three seasons, though admittedly this year they are further off the pace than in the previous two.
In truth, Liverpool have cantered to the Premier League title after building up an early lead in the race to lift the trophy. Arteta’s side have been hampered by key injury issues in the squad, in particular in attack.
The need to add reinforcements has been clear for some time, and there have been strong links to a number of players. football.london understand that the Gunners hoping to tie up a deal for midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and are also targeting a No.9, a defender, a wide forward and backup goalkeeper.
Among those linked have been Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak as strikers, as well as Nico Williams and Real Madrid star Rodrygo as wide attackers. In goal, Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia has been strongly linked. And
If those stars are to sign, what squad number will they be taking? Well, there are a few notable gaps in the list, with the Gunners making a small update already.
David Raya will be taking over the No.1 shirt which has been vacant since Aaron Ramsdale’s exit last summer. Raya’s decision opened up the No.22 shirt, which has been taken by Ethan Nwaneri ahead of the new season.
Elsewhere in the squad, there are a number of what one may deem ‘regular’ shirt numbers below the 40s which are currently unassigned, which could be of interest.
We kick things off with arguably the most iconic football shirt number of them all: the No.10. Arsenal’s has been vacant since Emile Smith Rowe left the club to join Fulham. It would surely be of interest to any of the attacking players joining the club, and possibly Zubimendi as well – though please, no defenders: we don’t need another William Gallas-style centre-back with the No.10.
The next available number is 13 – unlucky for some, and one of the least-utilised in modern football. It tends to go to the back-up goalkeeper historically, though Neto – who is currently on loan with the Gunners – opted for No.32 this season.
Then there’s the No.14 shirt. Made iconic in the past by Johan Cruyff, Arsenal’s is synonymous with club legend Thierry Henry. It’s currently vacant, but it certainly could be an option for Isak if the Gunners are able to lure him from Newcastle.
The No.16 shirt is the next available, previously worn by the likes of Rob Holding and Aaron Ramsey among others. It could be an option for a discerning central midfielder, perhaps.
Then there is a slight gap to No.21. It’s currently vacant, though did belong to Fabio Vieira before his loan move to Porto. Whether he comes back to north London or not this summer is currently uncertain. The same can be said of Reiss Nelson’s No.24.
Then the No.25 to No.28 shirts are all vacant, and it does not look like Raheem Sterling’s move will be made permanent, so the No.30 will also be up for grabs.
After that, there are only a few notable shirts taken, including Riccardo Calafiori’s No.33, Declan Rice at No.41 and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has decided to stay with his No.49 shirt.
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