The tears in the eyes of Mikel Arteta Wednesday evening reflected the weight of the defeat in the semi-finals of the Arsenal Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
It was the most emotional that Arta was seen after a match this season, because he used delusional discussions that the Gunners were the best side of the competition and how the PSG bench told him that his team deserved to win.
In truth, the node of the defeat returns to the reason why the club in northern London was defeated by Bayern Munich in the quarter -finals last season, and why Liverpool Usura as the Premier League in this campaign with matches to lose – a lack of fire power at the top.
The injuries to a certain number of key players, including Kai Havertz and Gabriel, were clearly a burden, although it was the club’s inability to buy a player before in the previous two transfer windows that took place a fifth year without trophy for Arteta.
With its rival Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea having all seized silverware during this period, the feeling among the gooners is that of frustration, whatever the progress of the eighth place of the League at the forefront of the lifting of a trophy.
“Next time” can only be enough for so long; “We are so there” a plaster that ends up detaching. This raises the question: what is the next step for Arsenal?
Mikel Arteta was emotional because he was all season after the defeat of Arsenal against PSG
The absence of Kai Havertz by an injury led to arsenal missing the firepower at the front
The arsenal deprived the injury of the Brazilian defender Gabriel of a key source of objectives set
Until now, they are a club that is getting closer so close to getting their hands on a trophy – Arteta has imitated to do this with a bottle of water at its post -match press conference on Wednesday – but was not able to overcome the last obstacle.
For the whole defensive of Arteta, there is an acceptance of the Spaniard, the new sports director Andrea Berta and the club that a serious investment on the front line is necessary this summer.
An attacker is their priority, with the next left wing on the list. Alexander Isak from Newcastle, very admired by Arteta and other key characters, is the dream target – although unlikely.
It would destroy most of their transfer budget, and the move is made even more unlikely with the Toon club likely to guarantee football from the Champions League next season.
The two main leaders are mainly prosecuted are Benjamin SESKO from RB Leipzig and Viktor Gyokerres by Sporting Lisbon.
It is understood that Sporting Lisbon is currently looking for a new striker and expects Gyokerres to be leaving this summer.
Since the Portuguese team requires a price of more than 70 million pounds sterling, the Swedish options are limited to a few clubs with financial power and the desire to spend it for a single player.
Arsenal is one of these teams, said Berta admiring Gykerres of his time working at Atletico Madrid.
Alexander Isak from Newcastle is Arsenal’s dream target but will probably prove too expensive
Viktor Gyokerres de Sporting and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig are targets of alternative attacks
The new director of Arsenal Andrea Berta sportsman approaches a vital summer transfer window
But internally, the views are torn to the fact that the attacker can hit the ground in the Premier League, because the Liga de Primeira is a different proposal, even if he has scored 38 goals in the championship this season.
It is understood that Manchester United is also interested in the player, manager Ruben Amorim having worked with Gyokerres while he was a sports boss.
International Slovenia SESKO struck 26 goals in this campaign and, at 21, has an ideal profile for future growth. The Gunners have also already made a large part of the bases of a potential agreement from SESKO.
In terms of the left, Nico Williams is the number one priority. The position is an area that the artillerymen have examined the strengthening since last year, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard their main current options.
He was considered light then and should be even more naked next season, with Trossard exploring a move to the Saudi Pro League again which previously expressed his interest.
At 30 and with one more year on his contract, it is understood that he now considers the right time to obtain a final lucrative contract and play regularly. The club in northern London would not stand on its way.
To return to Williams, he is considered by Arsenal as the ideal player to compete with Martinelli who was hot and cold in this campaign. Although it is complicated by Chelsea, who is supposed to be interested in the Atletico Bilbao player.
If this movement becomes impossible, other names on the list of arsenal for the left include Rafael Leao of AC Milan and Jamie Gittens by Borussia Dortmund.
Bukayo Saka and William Saliba will have to be linked to new long -term contracts
Martin Zubimendi seems likely to be the first Arsenal transfer signature next summer
Nico Williams has been an arsenal target for some time to compete with Gabriel Martinelli
The other Arsenal avenue seeks to secure is the key spine of their current team.
The contracts of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel all expire in two years, which will alert clubs across Europe.
The club is relaxed about the contractual situation of Saka, which, according to them, will sign a new long -term agreement this summer.
This is the situation of Saliba where there is an apprehension. Real Madrid wishes French and has started to increase their public interest for him.
The 24 -year -old key motivation is to win trophies. The Gunners spending another season without silverware, securing its long -term future becomes more complicated.
If he had to move, that would leave a huge gap cost tens of millions to replace.
The artillerymen are well within the limits of the PSR, they therefore have the capacity to spend – but also seek to unload a certain number of squad players to strengthen their summer war chest.
They have already aligned Martin Zubimendi, the midfielder expected to join Real Sociedad and replace Jorginho who should join the Brazilian Flamengo side.
Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko is a main candidate to leave Arsenal in the transfer window
The winger Leandro Trossard has been the subject of a strong interest in clubs in Saudi Arabia
Max Dowman, 15, is an exciting perspective that should go to the first team
At least around 80 million pounds sterling are targeted from the sales of arsenal players in the coming window, to add to the reserves already built from last summer during which Emile Smith Rowe expenses, Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale and others created almost 100 million pounds.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is considering an outing at Borussia Dortmund, a decision that was explored in January. With the emergence of the 18-year-old rear left, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Zinchenko fell further in the hierarchical order and should leave.
The midfielder Fabio Vieira, currently ready for Porto, is not in the first team plans of Arteta. Since he joined the Gunners for 30 million pounds sterling in June 2022, he did not take foot in the team.
He only made four league starts during the 2022-23 campaign and could attract around 20-25 million pounds sterling.
Nuno Tavares, loaned to Lazio, has a buyout clause of around 7 million pounds sterling that the Serie A team should trigger. This includes a 20%sales clause.
Sambi Lokonga is ready for La Liga Side Sevilla, which has an option to buy 10 million pounds Sterling – The club has not yet decided to trigger this. The player has a 25%sales clause.
Reiss Nelson, who is currently back in Arsenal to recover from the injury to the hamstrings he suffered when it was loaned to Fulham, has no purchase option in his agreement with the Cottager.
Although it is on wages of 100,000 per week, a large amount for a player who is on the sidelines of the starting program of Arteta. It is also intended for permanent transfer elsewhere this summer.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko
- Fabio Vieira
- Nuno Tavares
- Sambi Lokonga
- Reiss Nelson
- Jakub Kiwior
Reiss Nelson returned to Arsenal after the injury interrupted his loan with Rivals Fulham
Earlier in the season, Arsenal planned to sell Jakub Kiwior this summer. Following its recent performances, having occupied the bench for most of this campaign, there is the temptation to keep it, but the club is aware that it will attract more costs than a few months ago.
Overall, it’s a big piece of money on which being capitalized.
Attacking the midfielder is another area that could pay some attention, but Arteta is convinced that Max Dowman, 15, can provide depth in the future.
We expect him to participate in the pre-season tour of Arsenal, in order to be part of the first team team next season.
Thus, the list of Gunners artillerymen for this summer takes place for a long time – but remains the difference between silverware or another season as a bridesmaid.
