Arsenal have been busy in the summer of 2022, with the North London club already making major additions in the transfer window to bolster their squad. Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira have been the two marquee signings of the summer so far, with the Brazilian signing from Manchester City for £45 million, while the Portuguese sensation was added from Porto for €40 million.
The Gunners also improved their squad depth with the additions of USA goalkeeper Matt Turner and the Brazilian wonderkid from Sao Paolo Marquinhos.
Despite already making this significant outlay this summer, Arsenal still need to continue their spending spree in the 2022 transfer window if they wish to compete with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool. The Gunners are light in certain positions in attack and defence, and here are three players Arsenal should sign in the 2022 transfer window.
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Club: Leeds United
Value: £40.5 million
Arsenal have reportedly heavily pursued the signing of Leeds United and Brazil winger Raphinha after Barcelona stalled in their pursuit due to financial troubles. The Gunners have submitted a bid worth €70 million including add-ons according to the latest intel and could finalize the deal with Leeds as soon as this week. While the valuation is a little steep, signing Raphinha could be a game-changer for Arsenal, adding a different layer of dynamism to their offense.
As of now, the only starting calibre right-winger at the club is Bukayo Saka, and the Gunners need to add reinforcements in that area ahead of a busy season in 2022/23 that includes European football. Raphinha brings some much-needed decisiveness in the final third for Arsenal due to his directness and excellent ball-striking of both feet. The Brazilian also frees up Saka to play on the left, giving the Gunners an exciting trio of Saka, Jesus, and Raphinha in the attack.
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Club: Ajax
Value: £28 million
Another player Arsenal have been heavily interested in this summer is Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez. The Argentinian is one of the most gifted players on the ball in Europe and would add enviable depth to the Arsenal outfit in two key positions – left centre-back and left-back. Martinez would offer unbelievable technical security to the Arsenal backline, acting as the left-sided Tomiyasu for the Gunners’ defence due to his positional flexibility.
Martinez ensusre Arsenal’s build-up play doesn’t break down when one of Tierney or Gabriel is injured – like it did last season – and the Argentinian would give the Gunners a massive upgrade in terms of squad depth and players who can create from deep.
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Club: Leicester City
Value: £50 million
The final positional need Arsenal must address in the summer of 2022 is that of the left central midfielder. Granit Xhaka performed that role to the best of his abilities last season, but the team has moved on from the Swiss technician following the switch to a 4-3-3, and Arsenal need a more mobile midfielder who is more comfortable on the half-turn and in the final third.
Fabian Ruiz and Matheus Nunes are two options Arsenal could consider this summer, but in terms of feasibility, the ideal signing would be Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans. The Belgian has just one year left on his contract with the Foxes and comes with the requisite Premier League experience needed to slot in seamlessly into Mikel Arteta’s squad. Unlike Xhaka, Tielemans is supremely comfortable in the opposition half on the ball, with the Belgian possessing a tight turning radius and an excellent eye for a pass.
There are some concerns over Tielemans’ ability to defend in transition, but at Arsenal, the Belgian will be protected by Arteta’s compact 4-3-3 system and should flourish in the Red and White at Arsenal.
[Featured Image Credit: Raphina]
Shivaan Shah