Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are in for a busy summer. The Gunners narrowly missed out on a top-four finish last season, so regaining a Champions League spot next season will be a massive struggle.
While that may appear straightforward enough, a return to the Europa League will have an additional consequence, bringing extra fixtures to the team’s schedule that weren’t a problem last time out. The forthcoming transfer window, on the other hand, presents an opportunity to fortify ahead of time.
The lack of depth in the squad was a particular issue, and a goal-scoring centre-forward might be one area of attention for the team as a whole. “We are going to have some resources, not endless resources, some resources,” Arteta said of the next market.
“And with our resources we have to play and do what we have to do in the best possible way. We don’t know what the rest are going to have in terms of resources, which I’m assuming is going to be challenging because now it’s not a top three or top four league. Now it is a top eight or 10 teams that are involved. That’s why we have to find a way to do again what we did last summer.”
The squad was reshaped in the Spaniard’s image for upwards of £140 million the previous summer, and a comparable spend could be necessary to develop further. While incomings are essential, there is also a lot of talk about outgoings, namely goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
In the shot-stopping department, the Germany international has fallen out of favour, with Ramsdale being favoured for the duration of last season. A replacement is believed to have been set up once an exit was linked.
Turner is a member of the United States Men’s National Team, and his transfer from the New England Revolution has been confirmed by the MLS club, but not by the Gunners. Despite the lack of an official notification, the move appears to have been unintentionally disclosed on the national team’s official social media.
Accompanied by a picture of the 27-year-old, a tweet from the USMNT Twitter said: “We can’t forget the Gunners! Sup, @Arsenal fans?” It remains to be seen when the North London side will announce his signing, but with an agreement in place, it could be within days.