What would happen to Arsenal in the best and worst case scenarios on the day of the transfer deadline if Mikel Arteta and Edu were to complete any hurried summer transactions?
This is the end, two months and a few weeks later. On this day of deadlines for transfers, Arsenal has until 11 p.m. to complete any business regarding incomings.
The Gunners have been busy this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar bolstering the first-team roster with the signings of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice for a total of just over £200 million, as well as bringing in goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan deal.
However, with Jurrien Timber out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the Arsenal manager may need to go back to the market for defensive reinforcements. This is especially true given that Kieran Tierney was already on loan, Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares, and Rob Holding are all free agents, and the window is still open.
The crucial query is thus: What will the general atmosphere be among Arsenal fans at 11 p.m., when the transfer deadline officially expires and they are considering the total amount of business Arteta and sporting director Edu will have concluded over the previous two months?
Arsenal supporters, get ready for a hectic deadline day for transfers as football as history suggests there will be some movement at the Emirates Stadium today, whether that be incomings, outgoings, or both. London walks you through the ideal and idealized possibilities.
Best case.
The main incomings goals for Arsenal this summer were finished well in advance of the deadline. With Raya, Matt Turner has received an upgrade, giving Aaron Ramsdale even more competition. Havertz has taken Granit Xhaka’s place, and before suffering his unfortunate injury, Timber was demonstrating some promising signs as a smart acquisition.
Not to mention that the Gunners broke their transfer record to sign Rice from West Ham United for £105 million in order to strengthen their midfield. Arteta and Edu deserve a great deal of praise, and in an ideal world, they would be able to relax on deadline day knowing everything is in order.
However, Timber’s injury could make a difference. There are calls for the addition of a forward to provide cover and competition for Bukayo Saka, and if it were up to Arsenal fans, a replacement would be signed before 11 p.m. But it appears that issue will be resolved in January.
The club has also made an effort to raise their sales performance this summer. The Gunners have recovered about £75 million by allowing Pablo Mari, Xhaka, Auston Trusty, Turner, and Folarin Balogun to leave on permanent transfers. There is still time to raise additional funds through Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe, Cedric, and Arthur Okonkwo.
Large fees for the quintet are admittedly improbable, but if Arsenal can reach agreements to raise the proceeds from sales to about the £100 million mark while also signing a defender, that would be very impressive and represent a deadline day beyond the wildest expectations of even the most optimistic fans.
Worst-case.
There is a case to be made that Arteta has enough depth to handle Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup action until January, so if the Gunners do not make another signing before the 11 p.m. deadline, it will likely be seen as a missed opportunity rather than the worst-case scenario materializing.
Nevertheless, if the window closes with no deals completed, it will be concerning, particularly since Arteta will need to choose which players to leave out of his Premier League and Champions League squads since the cap is 25 and Arsenal started deadline day with a 30-man first-team squad.
Speaking of departures, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Magalhaes have both been connected to relocations. The Saudi Pro League is interested in the latter, while Chelsea is interested in the former.
It is safe to assume that the majority of Arsenal supporters would not have a positive reaction if one player, let alone both, were permitted to leave this evening. In Gabriel’s case, it would be disastrous if he left and wasn’t replaced because the Gunners are already taking chances with their defensive options.
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