Tielemans signs, Pepe departs – Arsenal summer transfers to complete Mikel Arteta’s dream squad for the 2022/23 season
Mikel Arteta is closer than ever to creating his dream Arsenal first-team squad size, having overseen four transactions so far in the summer transfer season.
Marquinhos, the first new signing in a £3 million deal from Brazilian franchise Sao Paulo, was given the no.27 shirt in training, which could imply that he will be part of the senior squad next season alongside fellow newcomers Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, and compatriot Gabriel Jesus.
This decision does not rule out Arsenal buying another wide player before the transfer deadline, as Arteta may still be looking to bolster the department while also providing additional competition for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli.
By all accounts, the Gunners’ business this summer is far from over, and what Arteta indicated about window plans at the end of last season is a hint of how many incomings and outgoings fans may expect until the end of August.
“If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers,” he said. “You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time.”
Arteta’s ideal Arsenal squad size would be 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers.
With Matt Turner expected to replace Bernd Leno, he can be Aaron Ramsdale’s backup next season, while Arthur Okonkwo or Karl Hein might be the third-choice goalkeeper.
Having said that, Arsenal now have 28 outfield first-team players under contract for next season after contract extensions were confirmed for Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny, the release of Alexandre Lacazette, and the additions of Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, and Gabriel Jesus.
This implies Arteta has already exceeded his optimal squad size.
But, with Hector Bellerin, Pablo Mari, Auston Trusty, Nuno Tavares, Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Nicolas Pepe all expected to go on loan or permanently this summer, the Gunners might be down to 20 senior outfield players.
As a result, three more signings would be required for Arteta to fulfil his objective of having 22 outfield players in his Arsenal squad next season.
Alternatively, the Spaniard might promote academy talent Charlie Patino to the first-team picture in order to somewhat increase the numbers.
However, it’s worth noting that the Gunners appear to be interested in a central midfielder and a versatile defender for the remainder of the transfer window, with ties to Youri Tielemans and Lisandro Martinez.
So it appears that Arteta has set his priorities to guarantee that his side is well-equipped to compete in the Premier League and Europe next season.
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Tielemans signs, Pepe departs – Arsenal summer transfers to complete Mikel Arteta’s dream squad for the 2022/23 season
