Arsenal's final weeks of transfer window debated amid Merino links (2024)

Mikel Arteta has less than two weeks to wrap up any final business before the transfer window slams shut. Arsenal have already welcomed a couple of new faces to the Emirates Stadium this summer, tying David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori down to long-term deals.

Last summer, the Gunners forked out over £200m on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. After investing heavily in his midfield and backline, Arteta might finally decide to sign a new striker – especially with Eddie Nketiah facing an uncertain future and Gabriel Jesus' injury record in mind.

Nevertheless, Arsenal have three games to play before deadline day, so the Spaniard must trust sporting director Edu to work his magic. With that being said, football.london have looked at what business the Gunners should do before the transfer window slams shut at the end of this month.

Difficult decisions must be made

Arsenal have done well to have already trimmed down the first-team squad, but there's still plenty of work to be done. Following the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, Jakub Kiwior should either be sent out on loan or sold.

The 24-year-old defender, who only joined the Gunners in January 2023 for just £20m, made a great impression towards the end of last season, slotting in at left-back. Arsenal could rake in a handsome profit for Kiwior's signature this summer, but they could always try loaning him out to a Champions League club in an effort to maximise their return on investment.

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Kieran Tierney should also be sold but, while carrying an injury, that could be tough. In an ideal world, the Gunners held onto Emile Smith Rowe and offloaded Fabio Vieira, who's really struggled to impress since joining from Porto for £34m two-years ago.

As for Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Aaron Ramsdale, it seems like Arteta has reached a point of no return so offloading the trio must be a priority – as sad as it is. I would have liked to have seen the Spaniard utilise the two Hale End graduates, in particular, more during his spell in charge.

A few years ago, Nketiah and Nelson were two of the most exciting young players in the country. Now, they've been reduced to two strong squad players – but that's not to say that they still couldn't force themselves into the starting lineup after a rich vein of form.

As for loanees, I'd make every Under-21 available apart from Ethan Nwaneri, who has a great chance to break into the first-team setup this term, and Charlie Patino, who'd be better off finding a new club – preferably in the Championship.

Time to strap in for deadline day

Ideally, by the end of August, Arteta will have a strong and reliable squad at Arsenal, excluding those – like Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Tommy Setford – in the academy, who will be looking to impress in training sessions and in domestic cup ties.

Ultimately, the Gunners must be prepared for whatever happens on deadline day. A Premier League rival could suddenly make an approach to sign Ramsdale, or a Saudi Pro League side could make an eye-watering bid for Thomas Partey.

So, it wouldn't be unreasonable to line up a few more deals after securing Mikel Merino's signature. Viktor Gyokeres could prove to be the difference between whether Arsenal win the Premier League or not, while Dan Bentley – a much shrewder signing – would be a respectable, home-grown, third-choice goalkeeper.

Neither of which are necessarily 'priority signings', but they're realistic opportunities in the current market to bolster the squad's depth. That's the beauty of the transfer window. Players, who may be overlooked or have once seemed out of reach, become available at the drop of a hat...

So...

Here's my realistic 22-man Arsenal squad for the season, excluding those in the Under-21s and Under-18s: David Raya, Tommy Setford, Dan Bentley (transfer); Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Mikel Merino (transfer), Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, Kai Havertz; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres (transfer), Gabriel Jesus.