Andrea Berta only has three weeks or so to give Mikel Arteta exactly what he wants before the transfer window slams shut. Arsenal have already spent nearly £200m on new players this summer - but there's still plenty of work still to be done.
The Gunners began by signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea before wrapping up the deal for Martin Zubimendi. Once Thomas Partey and Jorginho had left the Emirates Stadium following the expiry of their respective contracts, Arsenal brought in Christian Nørgaard.
A week or so later Berta returned to Stamford Bridge to snap-up Noni Madueke. Determined to reinforce Arteta's backline - with Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber nursing knocks during pre-season - Arsenal secured Cristian Mosquera's signature.
At the end of July, the north Londoners finally got their hands on a new striker, prising Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting. Berta has added lots of new faces to the squad this summer, but there's still room for improvement.
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So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what Arsenal must do to give Arteta exactly what he wants.
Arsenal finally wrap up a deal for Eze
Eberechi Eze would be a significant upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli. The Arsenal forward has enjoyed a major role in Arteta's side for a few years now but, having rarely faced much competition for a place in the starting line-up, he's not really pushed on.
If Berta was to sign the Crystal Palace talisman then the Gunners would in turn boast one of the most dangerous front-lines in the Premier League. Even if Eze was to disappoint, his arrival could revitalise Martinelli.
Eberechi Eze during Crystal Palace's pre-season clash against Augsburg.
Eberechi Eze during Crystal Palace's pre-season clash against Augsburg. (Image: Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
football.london understands that Arsenal are keen to offload a few players before turning their attention to Eze. Arteta is believed to be a big fan of the 27-year-old attacking midfielder, whose contract at Selhurst Park expires in June 2027.
It's understood that Eze is very keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium, and he's thought to have prioritised the Gunners over other potential suitors this summer. Palace want at least £35m of his proposed £68m release clause paid up front in any deal.
Berta cashes in on two Arsenal players
Arsenal have forked out nearly £200m on new players this summer, so it's about time that Berta starts to offload a few. Before splashing the cash on Eze, the Gunners should cash in on Fabio Vieira and Jakub Kiwior before the ship sails.
Vieira, who Arsenal signed from Porto for £34m in June 2022, has flopped at the Emirates Stadium. The £19m-rated attacking midfielder spent the first two years of his spell in north London on the bench, struggling to force himself into Arteta's starting line-up, before returning to the Portuguese giants on loan.
Now, the 25-year-old looks set to leave for good. According to The Athletic, VfB Stuttgart are currently working on a deal to sign Vieira, having recently approached Arsenal about a potential swoop.
Fabio Vieira is one of a few Arsenal players still to sort out their future.
Fabio Vieira is one of a few Arsenal players still to sort out their future. (Image: Miguel Lemos/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The north Londoners also need to offload Kiwior before his market value plummets. With William Saliba, Gabriel and Mosquera, as well as Calafiori, Timber and potentially Ben White, battling for a two spots in the starting line-up, the Polish centre-back won't get a look in!
Even at left-back, where he's sometimes featured for Arsenal in the past, he has Myles Lewis-Skelly, Calafiori and Timber ahead of him in the pecking order. According to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus view Kiwior as a potential replacement for former Newcastle man Lloyd Kelly.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese outlet A Bola reckons that Porto were interested in signing the the Arsenal defender, but they weren't prepared to pay his £26m (€30m) price tag...
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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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