Summer is all about the glamour and excitement of transfers and rumours. And we certainly are very much involved, with Matt Turner, Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Youri Tielemans, Gabriel Jesus and others all either heavily linked or already signed.
Mikel Arteta has already spoke of wanting 22 outfield players, and we ended the season far off that number with departures also confirmed. Some of the extra players will be new signings, but we will also strengthen from within.
William Saliba is the obvious player to come in and bolster our defensive options. After a successful loan at Marseille, Arteta seems very likely to give the French international his Arsenal debut 3 years after signing.
Less certain to come back in are Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland Niles. Nelson had a decent run in the Feyenoord team after initially struggling, and had a European final as reward. That was lost to AMNs Roma, although our main won a medal without coming off the bench. AMN had a frustrating loan under Mourinho, and barely played towards the end.
Reiss is arguably more likely to stay, with Ains linked to Forest already.
Folarin Balogun may benefit from Arsenal being in the Europa rather than the Champions League. His loan at Middlesbrough was rather up and down, and there is a good chance he will go out on loan again.
The full back positions have been hit by injury over the last season, so Lincoln loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy and 17 year old Lino Sousa may fancy their chances of getting a look in at least in the EFL Cup and Europa. Left back looks like a position Arsenal are trying to buy cover, so BNC at right back may be more likely than Lino.
A host of youngsters spent a fair bit of last season on the first team bench. They are prime candidates for a loan in 22/23, but the Europa gives them a chance of first team football. There is also the new 5 sub allowance. Charlie Patino already has 1st team experience, and could be the closest to stepping up. Salah Oulad M'Hand was one of the most impressive performers in the U23s, while Omari Hutchinson is very highly rated. Zak Swanson is more likely to go on loan, as is over the age for squad exemption. Mika Biereth could be in contention, with Baloguns short term future probably having an impact on him. Miguel Azeez had a disappointing loan at Portsmouth, but remains a player we have high hopes of.
Exciting Mexican international Marcelo Flores will be hoping for some first team action that could book him a place in Qatar. Although he has yet to fully establish himself in the U23s, Flores could well be fast tracked into the seniors.
In goal, Karl Hein could be 3rd choice after an injury ruined loan at Reading. Another one with international experience, the Estonian number 1 is more likely to stay than Arthur Okonkwo.
Beyond Saliba, I think there is a good chance Patino, Norton-Cuffy and Marcelo could all step up. The others may rely on loans, and Arteta's previous experience in the Europa saw him use the first team squad rather than use it to blood kids (although it has to be said that a lot of youngsters were in the team by then).
"Internal Solutions"
posted on 18/6/22
Buy Emery had a huge budget and brought in loads of players.
Wenger spent massive on attack.
posted on 18/6/22
Yes. But Chelsea, City and Utd always spent more.
There are 4 very large US sports companies now competing against each other. 2 West Coast protagonists who don't like each other.
posted on 18/6/22
United have always brought through kids.
Chelsea have the likes of James and Mount.
posted on 18/6/22
I am not sure James and Mount would be playing for Chelsea if Lampard had not been there. He had a lot of capital with RA.
Fergie used to bring kids through and they have continued in a more limited fashion. Not been all that successful in developing those players.
I am not sure how much Edu/Arteta will be committed to that now we do have the budgets. There is the mantra that if you are good enough you will breakthrough. Wenger though only maintained that using his global networks. Then everyone got wise to it and those transfer values went up. Are Arsenal going to remain patient through growing pains when it will be easier to buy what you need? A different pressure with spending.
posted on 18/6/22
The big budget is to totally transform the squad from where Wenger/Emery left it. Totally necessary, but in no way stopping the development of youth side to it.
Arsenal are not buying finished priducts, and the route to the first team is still very open to youngsters.
posted on 18/6/22
We'll see DJ. I hope you are right.
Being able to afford younger players from abroad is Wenger's strategy to make a more cohesive dressing room. Which of course opens up the kids to global competition again. I think Saka, ESR, Eddie were lucky that KSE weren't all that committed in the early post-Wenger era. The next Saka may find it more difficult.
posted on 18/6/22
so BNC at right back may be more likely than Lino.
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I'd be really surprised if he took to the field as a linesman.
posted on 19/6/22
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 17 hours, 41 minutes ago
United have always brought through kids.
Chelsea have the likes of James and Mount.
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You are seriously trying to justify these two clubs spending ? Chelsea just wrote of £1.5b ffs, and without building a new stadium, which you would expect for that kind of debt.
posted on 19/6/22
comment by SteveF (U22027)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 17 hours, 41 minutes ago
United have always brought through kids.
Chelsea have the likes of James and Mount.
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You are seriously trying to justify these two clubs spending ? Chelsea just wrote of £1.5b ffs, and without building a new stadium, which you would expect for that kind of debt.
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Where did I justify anything? The claim was that spending big means no chance for players from our academy breaking through, with Chelsea and United used as examples they couldn't.
posted on 20/6/22
‘Omar Rekik and Mika Biereth look set for season-long loan moves in Holland as Arsenal gear them up for life in senior football.’
https://arseblog.news/2022/06/arsenal-young-guns-going-dutch/