Can Arsenal’s New Signings Win them the League?

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After two attempts at the Premier League title, fans with Arsenal tickets desperately hope that the ‘third time’s the charm’ as the Gunners prepare for another season under Mikel Arteta. 

Arsenal has always had a talent shortage, but it has been a problem with the right talent. 

Those with Arsenal tickets have continuously complained about the team’s lack of a striker for several seasons. This eventually turned out to be Arsenal’s deciding factor towards the latter half of the season, when the team faced more competitive opponents. 

But, this summer season, the fans with Arsenal tickets are seeing that they are heard. Mikel Arteta is making the right calls. 

Arsenal are in good shape heading into the final week of preparations for the upcoming Premier League season. Mikel Arteta has got his squad together and has managed impressive wins over the past month to generate optimism moving forward once more.

The work still needs to be finished, though, and three more weeks must pass before the Spaniard names his final squad to last him until the January transfer window. At that time, plenty could yet happen.

Arsenal is still working on a deal to sign Mikel Merino, while high-profile exits could still dominate August. With a squad that is all but ready to go, this creates an unwanted distraction for the boss and his recruitment team.

Here’s the latest on the Arsenal Squad. 

Tommy Setford Gets a Promotion 

Tommy Setford could be set for a role in the Arsenal first-team next season after he was granted a personalized spot in the changing room. On Wednesday, the goalkeeper had his name printed above his seat ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen friendly win.

Unlike academy players Josh Nichols, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelley – who could yet have a big part to play under Arteta in the coming months – Setford has been granted an official place in the home dressing room. Having arrived from Ajax earlier this summer for under £1million, he is the squad’s fourth keeper.

With Aaron Ramsdale continuing to be on the team and not moving out, Setford will unlikely get a starting number. Still, Arteta would want to give his academy graduate some game time in the FA Cup. 

Setford appeared to be a long-term signing who would have little to do this season for Arteta, but if he is in the senior picture right now, it leaves questions about what movements are in the pipeline elsewhere.

The fans with Arsenal tickets always like to see an academy story and will be cheering for Setford whenever he gets an opportunity. 

Karl Hein is expected to join Real Valladolid on loan, which will leave David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale once more. Without Setford as an insurance third choice, things could get messy. This also leaves something for Ramsdale to think about.

With Setford around, there is realistically a way he could leave, and Arsenal still has some cover, especially if a deal for Dan Bentley could be completed to add some experience. 

It may not be much, but Setford’s being trusted on this level certainly impacts other parts of the summer.

Striker Chaos

Arsenal are keen for Eddie Nketiah to leave the club sooner rather than later to find a replacement. With fresh talks ongoing between Marseille and Arsenal, the hope is that a loan plus obligation to buy next summer will be agreed.

There’s also Borussia Dortmund, which is aggressively rallying for the signing of Eddie Nketiah. It might be a close tussle, but Nketiah will leave the club. 

Although the options are not overflowing, it has been reported that Ivan Toney may be available for just £30million. Having previously been slapped with a £100million plus price tag—as well as £80million and £60million at other stages during the last 12 months—it is a significant reduction from Brentford.

Toney has just one year left on his current deal, but interest in him has recently died. Arsenal has been one of those sides linked with him, but like others, they have been distanced more recently, with Viktor Gyokeres, the leading name around the club.

Arsenal would be foolish not to consider Toney for this sort of money. He may not be the ideal profile for a forward, but, like Kai Havertz, he is good in the air and can easily play the orthodox No.9 role.

Toney is an experienced, readymade, hardworking forward who has continued improving throughout his career. These are all desirable attributes, especially in effectively replacing Nketiah, who never got Arteta’s buy-in.

Toney becomes a risk at double the price, but if Brentford wants to cash in before he goes for free, it would be silly not to bite at the opportunity. 

Toney is Premier League-proven, already knows a group of the Arsenal squad from his time with England and can be an ideal rotational striker in multiple competitions.

Gabriel Jesus’s Role 

There’s no question that Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s first-choice right winger. The Hale Ender is world-class; his 34-goal contributions last season prove that.

However, the Englishman has repeatedly looked tired, mainly because Arteta needs a deputy who can sub for him and is at the same playing standard. 

With Gabriel Jesus continuing to stay with the Gunners, he could be an ideal plus. 

The Brazilian showed that he could play on the right under Pep Guardiola in Manchester City and could again do an excellent job for Arsenal in this position.

If Gyokeres signs, then Jesus could be a perfect squad player who can play both as a striker and on the right when needed.

Nico Williams signs

Those with Arsenal tickets were excited when the club showed interest in Nico Williams, the Spanish superstar. However, his Athletic Bilbao and Spain form has also attracted attention from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. 

The 22-year-old operating on the left wing would upgrade Gabriel Martinelli, who had a challenging year last season. But he’s made his intentions clear, namely that he wants to sign for FC Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain. 

Arsenal is not in the equation right now. 

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