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Transfer deadline day is closed: reason for optimism at Arsenal?

By on October 8, 2020

This year’s extended transfer window finally shut, and like always there’s already been a boom in business from Premier League clubs during the summer months. Although spending on new transfers was a lot lower than normal, due to the corona pandemic, Arsenal have managed to wrap up an outstanding deadline-day deal, including the signing of Atlético Madrid’s midfielder Thomas Partey. 

Initially, the summer window was supposed to open on June 10, closing on September 1. Due to corona, however, it was forced to open nearly two months later, on July 27, just a day after the end of last season and it closed on October 5, 2020. All clubs in the Premier League have tried to do their best to strengthen their teams in one way or another, and we believe it’s finally time to make up the balance for Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad. It’s time to dive in.

Transfer deadline day 2020 didn’t disappoint

Although there were a lot less signings in comparison with recent years, transfer deadline day didn’t disappoint with some quite remarkable deals carried out by Premier League clubs ahead of Monday’s closure. Manchester United managed to impress with their signings of Edison Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain) and Alex Telles (Porto), but a lot of people would agree that the biggest of the lot is Arsenal’s £45million signing of Thomas Partey from Spanish giant Atlético Madrid to boost the midfield options. The confirmation of Ghana’s international Partey on deadline day will have increased the levels of optimism amongst fans and players. Over the last 5 years manager Diego Simeone managed to cram the Ghana midfielder with Atlético’s fighting spirit making Partey the strong and powerful player Mikel Arteta was looking for. Partey was given the number 18 shirt.

Done deals for 2020

Partey’s signing comes on top of the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea and Lille OSC central 22 year old defender Gabriel Magalhães, who was one of the most wanted young talents in Europe before signing for Arsenal in a £23 million deal. This summer’s signings come in addition to the conclusion of arguably the most thrilling deal of all, getting superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to sign a new 3-year contract. After being linked to different clubs the attacker decided to stay at Arsenal which was highly celebrated by many fans. Other signings of this summer are Cédric Soares coming over from Southampton on a permanent deal, Runar Alex Runarsson making the move from Dijon, and Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos who is on loan from Real Madrid. Mattéo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira (both on loan) have left the Emirates Stadium to find their luck at Hertha BSC and Atlético Madrid.

Are the summer signings enough?

With free players Tim Akinola (Huddesfield), Salah-Eddine (Feyenoord), Jonathan Dinzeyi (Tottenham Free, and George Lewis (Fram Larvik) being added to the Arsenal youth ranks we reckon it was an excellent summer for the Gunners. Nonetheless, bookies do not completely agree, as Arsenal’s chances of winning this season’s Premier League are priced at 25/1. Please note that these odds were suggested before the signing of Thomas Partey so the list of bookmakers that give Arsenal more chance of winning the league might grow, at least if they’re just as optimistic as we are.