It’s a month until the Premier League season gets underway, sooner for the Community Shield, and it feels like Arsenal are heading into it a bit unprepared.
The Gunners had eight players feature in the final weekend of the World Cup, including winners Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya, leaving a very short turnaround. Players typically get at least two to three weeks off after summer international tournaments, so it won’t be a surprise if we don’t see them until opening day, if not later.
William Saliba’s long-standing back injury finally caught up with him, seeing him subbed off in France’s semi-final, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will be glad to get a rest and hopefully recover from their injuries. Their absence could last longer, either due to procedures or precaution, and a return after the first international break may not be a bad idea in the name of preservation for another long season ahead.
Those knocked out earlier in the tournament should integrate back into the squad as pre-season ramps up in the coming weeks, but even with that, it’s hard to see the group being at full strength heading into the campaign.
That’ll have its knock-on effect on tactics and other areas that Mikel Arteta will want to work on, limiting the changes that Arsenal will be able to make.
Beyond the current squad, the transfer market has continued to prove difficult, which has put the Gunners in a tough position.
Mogan Rogers was rumoured to be one of the main targets this summer, but inflated fees for the likes of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City have shifted how selling clubs are approaching the window, with Chelsea reportedly agreeing a £117 million fee, a number that Arsenal, quite rightly, weren’t willing to match.
The club shouldn’t be held over a barrel and forced to overspend, especially when they have such set valuations of players, and it isn’t just a case of spending for spending’s sake.
But for all of that, fans will still be impatient and there’s still a feeling that business needs to be done. While the defence was elite last year, the attack left a lot to be desired, and broadly that same group remains.
The World Cup and an inflated market have made it a challenging summer, making the next month a big one to be ready for the opening whistle.