Arsenal’s summer transfer activities, notably the record-breaking £105 million acquisition of Declan Rice, initially received acclaim. However, subsequent player performances and injuries have raised uncertainties about the overall success of these transactions.
Jurrien Timber, a promising signing from Ajax, faced adversity with a severe knee injury, limiting his contributions to just two matches. Kai Havertz, secured for £65 million, struggled to score from open play until November. Goalkeeper David Raya also faced skepticism from Arsenal fans regarding his superiority over Aaron Ramsdale.
Following three consecutive losses in the New Year, Arsenal aimed to reshape their season in the January transfer window. However, Financial Fair Play constraints may impede significant spending until the summer.
Looking forward to the upcoming summer window, Arsenal’s primary objective is to secure a quality striker. Despite a desire to sign Ivan Toney for £80 million, Brentford exhibits reluctance to part ways mid-season, especially after Toney’s absence due to betting offenses.
Midfielder Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa is another target for Arsenal, despite his hefty £100 million valuation. Previous £25 million bids were unsuccessful, but Arsenal is reportedly intensifying efforts behind the scenes. Comparisons between Luiz and former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka reveal parallels in playing style, with Luiz potentially filling the void left by Xhaka’s departure.
Luiz’s performances, with seven goals and six assists in the current season, mirror Xhaka’s output. Similarities in pass success rates, key passes, passes into the final third, and attacking contributions suggest Luiz could surpass Xhaka’s attacking numbers from the previous season in Arsenal’s system under Mikel Arteta.
While Kai Havertz was chosen as Xhaka’s replacement, the similarities between Luiz’s attributes and Xhaka’s playing style underscore a potentially missed opportunity. Luiz, thriving in Unai Emery’s system at Aston Villa, appears well-suited to Arsenal’s midfield.
As Arsenal navigates the complexities of the transfer market, decisions made in the upcoming summer window will significantly impact the team’s trajectory and aspirations for success in the seasons ahead.
