There has been so much focus on the centre-forward position for Arsenal this summer that all other business has become almost second fiddle. The Gunners are advancing on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, football.london understands.
Yet when the news of the club’s pursuit of a striker reached these exciting stages and broke, the club were already announcing one of its major acquisitions of the summer. At midday on Sunday, the club announced the long-awaited signing of Martin Zubimendi for a fee of more than £51million.
He joins the already-announced Kepa Arrizabalaga as the club’s second summer signing. Meanwhile, the club are soon expected to confirm the arrival of Brentford’s Christian Norgaard for a fee just north of £10million.
Talks are also continuing on other fronts, with Valencia for Cristhian Mosquera, while personal terms are thought not to be an issue for Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke after discussions on the players’ side. Then there is Rodrygo, who is currently away with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup but could yet be a target for Arsenal later in the window should he decide to leave.
There is no doubt that adding Gyokeres is an exciting prospect which will certainly change things at Arsenal for next season. The dynamic with the existing and new players like Kai Havertz is another curious dynamic to consider.
But it cannot be forgotten the other business the club are looking to do, particularly Zubimendi who will be looking to upgrade the midfield alongside Norgaard. Add Eze to that and Martin Odegaard will have competition too while Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, a former midfield partner of Zubimendi, will be forming new collaborations.
Mikel Arteta has an evolution to plan for this season, but with the likes of Zubimendi, 26, and Gyokeres now 27, these players will be expected to come in and hit the ground running for the club. No free hits, and sporting director Andrea Berta who is in his own first period in his new role is showing them the way with some very impressive moves this summer.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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