All Arsenal supporters wanted the club to invest heavily in their team this summer, but even the most optimistic Gooner must have been pleased and surprised by the degree of summer recruitment.
On the deadline day, Piero Hinkapie was announced as her eighth summer signature, taking part in loans from Bayer Lebaxen with the obligation to buy around £45 million, becoming the first Ecuadorian in the club’s history.
Before this, Gunners spent around £267 million, strengthening all areas of their team after Mikel Arteta’s team was so severely hampered by injuries last season.
While a particular signature wins all the headlines, could one of Arsenal’s Raedal Under the Raedal arrives actually prove to be the best signature the Premier League club has made this summer?
Arsenal’s attack reinforcement
We don’t know in the end, but it’s safe to assume that Arsenal didn’t invest in their team as big as they did.
The Reds’ deadline was to sign Alexander Isaac on the deadline day for £125 million, crushing Premier League record transfer fees and bringing summer spending to around £450 million.
The German hasn’t yet been on Liverpool’s shirts, but although it’s a very early age, he showed off his talent by winning a great free kick against Northern Ireland at Rheinergiestadion last Sunday.
During Isak, he is undoubtedly probably the best striker in the world and not a bad player to add to your team if you’re an Arne slot, but it’s interesting to see how he fits in.
Nevertheless, the champions now have an offensive talent. Arsenal is looking for Noni Madueke, Ebelech Eze and Victor Gökeres accordingly.
Eze is scheduled to make a eagerly anticipated home debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but Gyökeres has barely been involved with Manchester United and Liverpool so far, but has scored a brace in the Gunners’ only home game so far, earning Leeds’ 5-0 destruction.
But is it possible that a less-than-revealed new employee actually proves to be Arsenal’s best?
Best Summer Signature in Arsenal
Giorguinho and Thomas Parte have left Arsenal as free agents this summer, so their midfield base has undergone a major revamp, and given that the players in this position are at the core of the Arteta team, a significant revamp has been made.
Martín Zubimendi is the new midfield fulcrum and has almost arrived at the fanfare despite him being more appropriate.
There are several reasons for this.
First, athletic David Ornstein reported that until mid-January, his move from Real Sociedad was essentially a deal made, with most expectations and excitement subsided by the time he arrived in July.
Also, Gyökeres was not yet involved at the time, but the Gooners were persistent in signing the striker and were unable to be satisfied with anything else until it was done.
Nevertheless, Zubimendi has noted the opportunity to join Liverpool 12 months ago, highlighting the appeal of moving to Arsenal.
The reason Zubimendi lined up so much after that is simply because he is an exceptional player.
Zubimendi 24/25 LA League statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
statistics | bright | Ranked League |
The path that was attempted | 1,772 | twenty one |
Pass to the last 3rd | 172 | 12th |
Progressive Pass | 195 | 10 days |
touch | 2,131 | 18th |
Touch mid-3 days | 1,332 | Number 8 |
Intercept | 44 | 12th |
block | 42 | 16th |
Ball recovery | 140 | 24th |
FBREF provided statistics | ||
It should be noted that Zubimendi’s stats last season are even more impressive considering his Real Sociedad side came in 11th place at La Liga in the lowest finish since 2018, losing almost half of the match.
Upon arriving in North London, Arteta spoke enthusiastically about his fellow countrymen, praised his “football intelligence” and added that it would bring about “a huge amount of quality,” and concluded that “he will become a key player in all attributes.”
Already in the opening three matches for Arsenal, Zubimendi was able to show what he was and completed 145 of 167 passes.
The 26-year-old may not have really noticed this during an Arsenal game so far. There may be more players you need to witness physically to be truly grateful, but he has definitive ability to increase the speed of gunner-owned play and improve the team at both ends of the pitch.
If Arteta’s team continues to accomplish what they want to achieve this year, the £60 million paid for Zubimendi’s signature will feel like a steal. The people of Anfield may be able to stand the fact that they missed him a year ago…
