Mikel Arteta has a new-look Arsenal squad.placeholder image
Mikel Arteta has a new-look Arsenal squad. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The Gunners will look to summer signings for inspiration this season, starting at Manchester United this weekend.
Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has given his seal of approval to the club’s summer of transfer business but warned that only time will tell if Andrea Berta and the club have truly invested well.
The Gunners begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to Manchester United on Sunday as Mikel Arteta looks to finally get his hands on the Premier League trophy. Arsenal lacked the firepower to keep up with Liverpool last time out but will now be spearheaded by £55 million bagsman Viktor Gyokeres.
Noni Madueke will add pace on the wing with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard both new options in the centre of the park having arrived from Real Sociedad and Brentford respectively. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera has been snapped up from Villarreal and Kepa Arrizabalaga recruited from Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal summer signings sent legacy warning
With business done early, all of those players could feature at Old Trafford and Winterburn warned that it is only what comes over the next season that will define those arrivals, not their careers to this point. Speaking to LondonWorld, he said: “It’s been positive so far. Whether we can bring another addition into the squad, I think a lot of people would like to think that they can.
“Overall, what we’ve done, I think we have strengthened the squad, particularly in depth. What we don’t know is whether Arsenal now need to move some players out, reduce the wage bill, get a bit of money back in. That is probably true but overall, on paper, the signings looks good. But what you’ve done before is irrelevant, it’s what you’re going to do for our club.”
Winterburn, who won the Premier League with Arsenal in 1998 and spent 13 years on the books in north London, also warned the Gunners to be careful with the rise of 15-year-old Max Dowman. The teenager, who has never made a senior appearance for the club, has turned heads in pre-season. He could make his debut against Manchester United.
Gunners must be careful with Max Dowman rise
When asked about an area where Arsenal may still need to strengthen, Winterburn said: “I think everyone is talking about the left hand side. Arsenal have got players who can cover that with Madueke coming in from Chelsea. He can play on the left, we’ve seen that. I think people are talking about whether they can get somebody in for that position.
“The problem Arsenal have got in that position is they have two huge young talents coming through who can probably both play in that position in Ethan Nwaneri and eventually, he’s a very young boy so we have to be careful about the hype, Max Dowman.
“We have to be careful, he’s 15 and you have to keep reminding yourself of that. The potential is huge but that’s what you keep reminding yourself, how far do you push a young man? You’ve got to let him develop. Everyone sees him do some exciting things in a cameo and want him in the squad every week. It’s long term you’re looking at, not short term.
“Looking at it, where they may try and fill a position, it’s going to be on the left side, maybe with someone who can drift in a little bit. We need to wait and see.”
In other news, Arsenal can agree Eberechi Eze transfer on one condition as forward tipped for exit.
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