Arsenal FC will score some goals this season, but will they be able to stop enough opposing goals? New manager Unai Emery is a great hire, in our opinion, but how much time does he need to rebuild the shambolic components of Arsenal Football Club that reared their ugly heads during the waning days of the Arsene Wenger era?
The rebuild starts right here with the summer transfer window, and Emery is off to a pretty good start.
We have now passed the deadline for which Premier League clubs are allowed to buy players. They can still sell players, abroad only, until August 31 as no other league has adopted the earlier deadline.
Arsenal FC Season Preview: go to this link
Gunners Additions:
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus, Free), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen, Undisclosed), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund, Undisclosed), Lucas Torreira (Sampdoria, Undisclosed), Matteo Guendouzi (Lorient, Undisclosed)
Gunners Subtractions:
Per Mertesacker (retired), Santi Cazorla (released), Calum Chambers – Fulham – Loan, Jack Wilshere – West Ham – Free, Kelechi Nwakali – FC Porto – Loan, Chuba Akpom – PAOK – £1.2 million, Lucas Perez –
Analysis:
Torreira could be the name that is worth getting most excited about, although don’t sleep on the underrated acquisition of Guenouzi. The bottom line is this- strengthening central midfield and defense were the biggest priorities, and they did just that. While they may still be a couple/few players away from competing for a league title, the progress is certainly noticeable and substantial.
They didn’t buy any attacking players this window, but that was a smart move as they didn’t really need any. Investment was intelligently allocated elsewhere.
Immediate, Knee Jerk Reaction Grade (True, Authentic Grades Can Only Be Earned Over Time): B+
It wasn’t headline-grabbing, but it was sensible. The Gunners didn’t make a huge splash with any one addition, but the pragmatism of several deals could yield a true Gestalt.
Arsenal will be the toughest team to size up among the big six this season, and they are among the most unpredictable in the league. You can consider them a top four sleeper.
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Transfer Window Grades Links:
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