Arsenal's transfer strategy in recent years is one that has finally begun to earn its rewards. Technical director Edu Gaspar and Mikel Arteta's work in the transfer market has taken the Gunners from underperforming standards to Premier League title challengers.
The money spent over the past three years has been well spent. A large crust of Arteta's preferred XI have been signed in that period with the superior improvement in the market lessening the pressure of producing quality from the Hale End academy like before with Bukayo Saka.
In the summer, the club smashed their transfer record to bring in Declan Rice. The midfielder hasn't put a foot wrong, as of yet, and is certain to be one of the favourites to win signing of the season. Kai Havertz is finally starting to show the impact of working with a settled first-team coach after initially struggling while David Raya's arrival to replace Aaron Ramsdale continues to split opinion.
However, the signing of defender Jurrien Timber is one that got many excited. Having failed to land a move to Manchester United in 2022, the Netherlands international was made Arteta's defensive priority in the summer before signing for £38million from Ajax.
Unfortunately, his first season in the Premier League has been halted due to an ACL injury picked up on his competitive debut for the club. Nevertheless, the performance against Manchester City in the Community Shield showed glimpses of the prodigy Arsenal have at their disposal.
At 22, the versatile defender is a signing for years to come. But Arsenal's scouting focus at Ajax shouldn't stop at Timber. Jorrel Hato is one name Gunners supporters should learn to know.
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