By Karteta
June 1 2022

Would buying too many class players in the transfer window spoil the process?   Arsenal have missed out on the champions league by 3 points, 2 points would have made the Gunners equal to Tottenham but with nearly double the goal difference, we have to concede that Arsenal needed more than just one additional point to secure 4th.

Leading the race for top 4 with 9 games to go was somewhat a freak occurrence in the 21/22 season for Arsenal, as at the start of the season Arsenal had committed to a new youth project which would of course need time to develop.
Although a valiant effort on the pitch was made, Arsenal fell short, leaving Arsenal fans thinking what could have been had the club decided to strengthen in January……

In 2020 Josh Kroenke said Arsenal must be aggressive in the transfer window, something Arteta as a player said Arsenal should do. So with Josh and Arteta as both owner and manager with a depleted side due to AFCON and the Aubameyang situation, it was puzzling how Arsenal didn't use the reported funds available to get a player that would steady the good run of form they had at the time.
The season is over and a new transfer window is here, so we have to look ahead to the new season.
Arteta and Edu have to tackle what many would say cost Arsenal this season, that is the lack of a world class striker and squad depth.
Personally I have issues with believing we would have lured a striker that
would have got the team across the line. Arsenal had a striker in Aubameyang who was useful in counter attacking teams but had trouble getting chances under Arteta ball. Arsenal had Lacazette to fill in and played him in a deeper style, perhaps the cause of his goal scoring to dry up. Nonetheless the team went on a winning streak.
Then there was Eddie Nketiah who did well because of his tenacious character closing players and goalkeepers down. All were involved in good runs all and all had different styles, so it's no wonder Arsenal are said to have only have been in the market for a top quality striker, as any striker that comes in cannot afford to be short of consistently world class to make an impact.

Now for the conundrum of Arsenal, the squad depth.
Many are happy M.Elneny signed a new deal at Arsenal but I don't see it as a step in the right direction. Arsenal don't need players that are happy to sit on the bench, Arsenal need players to replace underperforming first team players. Xhaka is likely to come across games when the pace is too much for him, he might get a yellow on
50 mins, 60 mins would be a great time to take him off and put on another midfielder just as good or better. Lokonga and M.Elneny started 20 games for Arsenal in a 38 game season that leaves me to believe there are potentially 4 Top class Center mid positions available and one youth (which would be Lokonga) and Elneny has taken one of them.
The drop of quality when Partey leaves the side should be addressed. Arsenal have to get a player that is good enough the keep the side at that level and also rest the big players.

With 5 subs next season no quality player should be in a situation feeling like they're sat on the bench, if they have a lot to offer. Some Center mids sit deep as playmaker, some shoot from distance, some arrive late in the box and some dribble forward. Arsenal need a top quality Center mid in all styles.

Fullback positions are another problem, a player is needed to challenge K.Tierney and not just be an understudy to him so he can be rested.
Tavares would just drop to third choice, It's not that crazy to think seeing Arsenal had Debuchy, Bellerin and Jenkinson at one stage. Cedric does well but maybe another quality RB could replace him. This season is also a return to the Europa league and another attempt on the league cup and FA cup, So there are more games available to play.

If Arsenal want to be a big club it has to act more like a big club in this
transfer window. Good players of the world not just the Elneny's
will sit on benches if they believe in a clubs project or direction.
Ceballos made 77 appearances for Arsenal in two seasons only to go back to Real Madrid and get only 18. He knew there was competition for places and wanted to compete (and got a CL medal for his pains. Ed).Camavinga knew there was competition at Real Madrid but went to compete.
Arsenal can not just make-do with players in such a competitive league as the premier league. Arsenal cannot rest at 5th place because at the start of the season Arsenal were predicted to be 6th. If the transfer window goes well for Man Utd, West Ham and Leicester and if Arsenal are predicted 7th. Will being 6th next season, a place behind what Arsenal achieved this season be a good season?

This is a very delicate and important transfer window at this stage of the process.

Who should stay, go or be brought in?

That’s the big issue Edu and Arteta now face, they slipped up in January, they can’t afford to do it again.
If you're good enough you will play, if you're not and want out Arsenal might finally get a decent transfer fee for a player (easier said than done in present climate, ED).