Mikel Arteta sanctions 5 major Arsenal signings as continued rebuild explained despite key exits

Arsenal have plans to invest heavily in the squad this summer with multiple positions taking up precedence for Mikel Arteta as he continues to overhaul the squad. Some have questions about why there remains a need to add even more players and replace some who only signed as recently as two years ago.

Gabriel Jesus, for example, is one such player who could leave this summer with the club reportedly open to offers for the Brazilian. The same can be said for Oleksandr Zinchenko who has just two years remaining on his deal with little sign of a renewal on the horizon.

Arsenal have needs in five areas in the summer: central midfield, winger, centre-forward, defence and goalkeeper. They are a result of expected departures but also the simple matter of the level exceeding their relevant contribution.

Arsenal invested £38million in Jurrien Timber, for example, and Zinchenko has publicly admitted that despite being several years older, he believes he is perhaps not as good as the Dutchman. He told the official Arsenal programme as such back in August of last year.

«Maybe he is [similar], but maybe better than me,» Zinchenko said. «I'm sure he is 100% going to show us what he can do, and will really help us. I do know about him because I watched him and followed the way he played at Ajax.”

Arsenal have now competed for the title in two successive seasons with ambitions to exploit Jurgen Klopp’s departure at Liverpool and any transition Manchester City go through in the next 18 months with Pep Guardiola’s own deal up next year. The Gunners are the best placed for consistency across the foreseeable future and adding quality which competes with their existing starters will be key.

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