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Arsenal’s record-breaking £250 million summer spending spree delivered a brilliant first half to the season, with the Gunners topping both the Premier League and Champions League standings while reaching the Carabao Cup final.
However, vulnerabilities exposed since January have highlighted the need for further squad improvements, with sporting director Andrea Berta facing a busy summer window that opens in June.
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Clear-out needed to fund moves
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According to The Athletic, player sales will be essential to fund incoming transfers after last summer’s considerable outlay. Berta must prioritize clearing out unwanted players early in the window, with Gabriel Jesus and Ben White expected to be moved on.
Either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard could also be sold following disappointing seasons, while tempting offers for academy products Ethan Nwaneri or Myles Lewis-Skelly would represent pure profit for the club.
£43m midfielder solution identified
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Arsenal’s need for central midfield reinforcement remains obvious, with the club leaning heavily on Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice to an unsustainable extent. Christian Norgaard’s arrival last summer hasn’t solved the issue, with Arteta yet to hand the former Brentford veteran a Premier League start this season.
While Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move to north London since January, his £80-100 million valuation makes Atalanta’s Ederson a more attainable target. The 26-year-old Brazilian is valued at around £43 million by the Serie A club, though interested parties including Arsenal and Manchester United believe they can secure him for approximately £10 million less.
According to The Athletic, Ederson has just one year remaining on his contract and is unlikely to renew, with Atalanta expected to cash in before the World Cup. The midfielder has contributed 15 goals and five assists across 177 appearances since joining Atalanta in June 2022, helping the club win the Europa League and establish themselves as consistent top-four contenders.
Elite winger remains priority
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Arsenal’s attacking reinforcements from last summer – Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke – have failed to convince at the Emirates, leaving the hunt for game-changing forwards ongoing. The left flank remains particularly problematic, with no squad member making the position their own.
The club maintains long-standing interest in Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon, though no concrete talks have been reported. Newcastle’s Gordon is expected to leave this summer for around £75 million, while Barcola’s limited playing time at PSG could prompt him to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano recently claimed Arsenal could sign two attackers this summer alongside their left-wing target, suggesting Arteta’s squad overhaul will be comprehensive as the club looks to build on their strong start to the campaign.