The first part of the 2025 summer transfer window is now over and there seems to be general unrest in the ranks that whilst City and Chelsea have signed players, we have have been conspicuous by our lack of activity. But let’s just draw breath and think for a minute. Firstly why is there this mini transfer window ahead of the main event starting next week? I will spare you the fine details about the number of days that anyone League is allowed to have a window open, but in simple terms this six day period has been put in place by FIFA to allow clubs participating in the new format Club World Cup to sign players that can then appear in the competition. We are not in it, so we don’t need to worry about structuring our transfer strategy around it. Simples!
Before I move to the matter at hand, I should state that I have been around long enough to be unmoved by the flood of names associated with joining us, I don’t get involved in idol gossip nor propagate rumours regardless if they are rooted in good ‘intelligence’ of mere flights of fancy from one or more of the ‘informed’ or ‘connected’ sources that have sprung up online over the past 20 years or so. However, what type of player we need is something that is worthy of discussion.
Number one, for which there can be no argument, we need a striker. I love Kai and think that he has been amazing. Give him an out and out goal scorer to work with and we will see even more from the money that we ‘threw down the drain’. Equally certain is that we need to strengthen our midfield and a new CDM that can allow Declan to roam further forward would be massive. I was massively impressed with Jakob in the last couple of months of the season, but I think another strong young centre back should also be on the list. Finally and perhaps more controversially, we need some support for our Starboy. B simply cannot be expected to play every minute of every game and I feel that it is essential that we find a player that can be there to step in when needed. It is going to be very tough to find the right player as they will have to be good enough to fill in, but understand that, subject to injury, they will never be our first choice right sided attacker.
So give or take a couple of young prospects and a new reserve Kepa, that’s what is needed, who will fill these roles is not up to you or me, that is what Josh pays Sr Berta for. So give him time and space to work out what to do. we don’t have unlimited funds from oil, gas or state backers but neither are we paupers. as long as these positions are filled in time for full pre-season integration then all will be fine and this coming season we will go one better at home and two better in Europe.
Don’t panic, keep calm and carry on – it is the Arsenal way.