For a long time last season, Arsenal looked like they’d be the team lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of the campaign. But, when a couple of injuries to key players set it, things seemed to fall apart, and Manchester City took control and went on to defend their crown. In 2023/24, The Gunners will be hoping the outcome is different, and their recruitment can play a big part in this.
It’s fair to say that in the last few seasons, betting on the Premier League has become terribly competitive, as money pours into the league, but what has continued to be a safe bet is Manchester City to win the title, something which Arsenal nearly changed last term and are adamant to change this. They say success and failure are often determined by recruitment, and Arsenal have set their stall out early to ensure they get the players they want and need to mount an even bigger title challenge next season. Already through the door is Chelsea’s Kai Havertz, who has swapped West London for North London in a move reportedly worth around £65 million. But Arsenal aren’t done there, as they’re close, at the time of writing, to wrapping up a deal for West Ham captain Declan Rice for a reported £105 million, and they’re also likely to conclude a deal for Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber too. These three players signing alone will take Arsenal forward, and they probably won’t be the last to arrive.
The recruitment approach at the Emirates has been to sign high-quality players who are still young. It means that Arsenal will have players on their hands who have the potential to get better and better while knowing they will have the energy to battle through an arduous season, especially when the club competes on multiple fronts. Havertz is twenty-four, so is Rice, and Timber is just twenty-two. So they’re very much in keeping with the steadfast recruitment policy designed by manager Mikel Arteta and Edu, the club’s Sporting Director.
All three players will also offer versatility and potentially correct what went wrong last season as Arsenal’s title challenge faltered. Havertz can be the focal point of the attack when required because of his height and ability to link play while also being able to perform as an attacking midfielder and in wide positions. Rice is a leader, a world-class defensive midfielder and an upgrade on outgoing Granit Xhaka, who can also deputise at centre-back. And Timber adds more quality at centre-back, so if Saliba, for example, gets injured again, him missing won’t be as detrimental.
The summer transfer window isn’t over yet, and the Rice and Timber deals are still pending, but Arsenal could be the club who do the best business during the permitted period. And while many won’t back against Manchester City defending their Premier League crown once again, The Gunners could prove they do have what it takes, and their new arrivals could be significant in making that so.
