Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has openly addressed the club’s current squad limitations and the need for potential new signings. In a recent statement, Arteta emphasized the importance of having a robust squad to navigate the demands of the season effectively.
- Arteta acknowledges the squad’s current limitations and the need for reinforcements.
- Arsenal is actively looking to strengthen the squad if opportunities arise.
- Recent transfer activities have seen both arrivals and departures in the men’s, women’s, and academy teams.
Arteta’s Concerns and Transfer Strategy
Arteta stated, “We are a little bit short, if we can do something we will do it. We need good availability from everybody; we don’t have 23 outfield players and normally you have to be equipped like that.” This comment highlights the manager’s concern over the squad’s depth and his intent to strengthen it if an opportunity arises.
🚨🔴⚪️ Arteta on new signings: “We are a little bit short, if we can do something we will do it”.
“We need good availability from everybody, we don’t have 23 outfield players and normally you have to be equipped like that”, via @cdavison_afc. https://t.co/3MDhZYFYyT
pic.twitter.com— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
October 19, 2023
Recent Transfer Activities
Men’s Team
Ins:
- David Raya (Brentford) – Permanent
- Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna) – Permanent
Outs:
- Emile Smith Rowe – Fulham
- Mohamed Elneny – Al Jazira
- Cedric Soares – Released
- Arthur Okonkwo – Wrexham
- Sambi Lokonga – Sevilla (Loan)
- Nuno Tavares – Lazio (Loan)
- Karl Hein – Real Valladolid (Loan)
Women’s Team
Ins:
- Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona) – Permanent
- Daphne van Domselaar (Aston Villa) – Permanent
- Rosa Kafaji (BK Hacken) – Permanent
Outs:
- Sabrina D’Angelo – Aston Villa
- Kaylan Marckese – Tampa Bay Suns
- Vivianne Miedema – Manchester City
- Gio Quieroz – Atletico Madrid
- Cloe Lacasse – Utah Royals
- Teyah Goldie – London City Lionesses (Loan)
Academy
Ins:
- Lucas Nygaard (Nordsjaelland) – Permanent
- Tommy Setford (Ajax) – Permanent
Outs:
- Mauro Bandeira – Released
- Omari Benjamin – Everton
- Mika Biereth – Sturm Graz
- Luis Brown – West Ham United
- Noah Cooper – Stoke City
- Catalin Cirjan – Dinamo Bucharest
- Amario Cozier-Duberry – Brighton
- Henry Davies – Released
- Ovie Ejeheri – Midtjylland
- Taylor Foran – Bromley
- Hubert Graczyk – Released
- Jack Henry-Francis – Sligo Rovers (Loan)
- James Hillson – Southend United
- Henry Jeffcott – Released
- Tyreece John-Jules – Released
- Alex Kirk – Released
- James Lannin-Sweet – Released
- Brooke Norton-Cuffy – Genoa
- Kamarni Ryan – Burnley
- Charles Sagoe Jr – Shrewsbury Town (Loan)
- Kido Taylor-Hart – Released
- Reuell Walters – Luton Town
Potential New Signing: Mikel Merino
Arsenal is reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino. The midfielder’s potential arrival could be a significant boost for the Gunners, adding much-needed depth to their midfield options. Merino’s versatility and experience make him an ideal candidate to fill the gaps identified by Arteta.
For more details, check out the comprehensive reports on Mikel Merino’s imminent transfer to Arsenal: