Arsenal concluded an unprecedented transfer window with Andrea Berta accomplishing some key needs for Mikel Arteta’s squad to make them capable of challenging on all fronts.

Earlier in the year, when Arsenal were fighting to stay relevant in the title race amid a major injury crisis and still contending in the Champions League, some comments appeared on social media about their summer transfer plans. In a single line, those comments stated, ‘Arsenal are preparing for an unprecedented summer window’, which nobody at the time could envisage what could be, but now things are pretty clear.

Arsenal installed Andrea Berta as their new sporting director earlier in the year, and he replaced Edu Gaspar, who had chosen to leave earlier in the season. The latter was responsible for assembling the squad that Mikel Arteta had until this summer, and up to that point, the Brazilian had done a good job in signing players like Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, among others.

Those stars alongside several others, such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli, have all been key members of the project. However, going by how the previous campaign panned out with the massive injuries forcing the Gunners out of the title race, the team seriously needed an ‘unprecedented summer’ of some kind.

There were plenty of holes in the squad, depth issues and players that brought in something different in the attacking third, often termed as ‘x-factor’. What Berta did was fulfil every requirement, and at the end of the window, Arsenal managed to bring in eight new faces into the squad, and turn them into one of the favourites for all competitions concerned.

More importantly, for two years running now, many had commented that all Arsenal needed was a striker. In truth, there were plenty of places to fill, for instance, the Bukayo Saka backup, something they have struggled with since the homegrown star has made his name as the team’s starting right-winger.

Furthermore, contrary to what many supporters thought, Arsenal also needed defensive reinforcements and particularly a backup to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, although the latter had Jakub Kiwior in the role.

Berta managed to do business that covered each of those positions and more. A striker arrived, while a Saka backup was found, albeit with plenty of criticisms over that particular move. Arsenal also managed to bring in that x-factor that Mikel Arteta’s side seemingly lacked, as this was truly an unprecedented window for the club.

Ins and Outs

The incoming business began with a deal for Martin Zubimendi, which was seemingly agreed upon much earlier, before Berta even took over. However, the Italian director still needed to iron out the final details for the Spanish midfielder as late interest emerged from the likes of Real Madrid.

Berta also triggered a £5 million release clause in Kepa Arrizabalaga’s contract at Chelsea, and the Spaniard arrived as David Raya’s backup. The squad did lack a backup goalkeeper as former Bournemouth man Neto departed after his loan concluded.

The biggest criticism came after Arsenal agreed a deal for another Chelsea player in Noni Madueke. The winger’s versatile qualities to play either wing were seen as a big weapon by Arteta, and over time, there’s a level of consensus on the transfer.

The two biggest transfers for Arsenal this summer came in the form of Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, with either of those attackers thought to be a massive improvement for the squad. Those were the two sagas the fans eagerly wanted the club to win, and they did in some style, as well as for the right price.

There were defensive reinforcements in the form of Cristhian Mosquera, with Berta snapping up the promising Spanish centre-back on the cheap owing to his contractual situation with Valencia. Christian Norgaard also arrived in a cut-price move from Brentford, as the Dane is viewed as a cover for the defensive midfield position currently occupied by Zubimendi.

Finally, described as the final piece of the puzzle that is the summer window, Arsenal announced the capture of Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen. Hincapie was the eighth and final signing of what was an unprecedented window, something Arsenal probably never had in recent memory.

Ins – Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze.

Loaned In – Piero Hincapie

As for the outgoings, this is the area that has plagued the club for numerous years, as for some reason or the Other Arsenal barely perform well when it comes to sales. Once again, the club have failed to bring in enough money from outgoings, with the buy obligation in Nuno Tavares’ deal with Lazio the only viable incoming funds for large parts of the window.

However, they also managed to sell Kiwior to FC Porto, which was incidentally their biggest sale of this window. In an alternate theory, Arsenal managed to bring in most of their signings without having to sell their players for funding the incomings, which showcased their enormous spending power in this window.

Other outgoings included unwanted stars Fabio Viera on loan to Hamburg, while Albert Sambi Lokonga also joined the German giants on a permanent deal. Reiss Nelson also departed on loan to Brentford, while Oleksandr Zincheko left the club on a temporary deal to Nottingham Forest, which was the latest exit from the club at the end of deadline day.

Outs – Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos, Jakub Kiwior, Albert Sambi Lokonga

Free Transfers Out – Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu (contract terminated).

Loaned Out – Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Karl Hein

Marquee Signing

Eberechi Eze

There’s an obvious argument as to who the marquee signing for Arsenal should be, although there are only two contenders in Gyokeres and Eze. The former was seen as an essential signing as many believed the club missed a clinical centre-forward despite having Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the team.

However, the Eze signing was a little bit more dramatic for the fans, who were over the moon as the attacker was extremely close to joining Tottenham. The north London rivals had an agreement in place with Crystal Palace, but Arsenal swooped in late but in the nick of time to give Eze his dream move.

It has been a rather emotional rollercoaster for the former Palace star, but he does bring a lot that Arteta’s side had been missing in recent years, that is the x-factor. He’s seen as the starting left-sided attacker for the Gunners in a front three also currently comprising Bukayo Saka and Gyokeres.

Overall, Eze’s experience in the Premier League as well as his creative output would bring a lot to the table for Arteta. Hence, he’s widely seen as the marquee signing that Arsenal fans have been dreaming of for all this time.

Value for Money signing

Christian Norgaard

Norgaard may not be the most popular choice in this category, but he’s certainly someone who adds value to this Arsenal squad. Arteta lost the likes of Partey and Jorginho, who were two of the most experienced stars in this team, as replacing them was crucial.

While Zubimendi might assume Partey’s role as the starting defensive midfielder, Norgaard will be seen as the Jorginho replacement of sorts. The Dane brings a wealth of experience to this side owing to the time spent with Brentford over the last many years.

While Arsenal could have angled a move for a younger player, as they were linked with a move for Lucien Agoume of Sevilla. The club thought it was essential to bring in an experienced star with Premier League experience and found a cut-price deal with Brentford for Norgaard.

Inevitable Departure

Fabio Vieira

There are rare cases in which the club allows a prominent talent to leave on loan for a season and then reintegrates him. In the case of Fabio Vieira, some doubts were creeping in following his little role during the 2023-24 season, with Arsenal then deciding to loan him out to FC Porto last summer.

Over there, he had a good enough season, but yet, Arteta does not view him as a part of his squad. The arrival of Eze, as well as the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri, has allowed Arsenal to part ways with Vieira without feeling the need to replace him adequately.

He has since joined Hamburg on another loan deal, and with two years left on his current Arsenal deal, a sale next year will be inevitable.

The Big Miss

Alexander Isak

While there are not many misses as such for Arsenal during this window, theoretically, there’s an argument to be made on whether they should have waited for Alexander Isak. The Swede, amid much drama, joined Liverpool from Newcastle United on deadline day on a British record fee.

While Arsenal are completely happy with the arrival of Gyokeres, the prospect of Isak’s availability may seem like a miss for Berta & Co. However, from Arteta’s perspective, he got a striker in Gyokeres early that allowed him time to integrate with the team, as in Isak’s case, the deal with Liverpool had many complications, which certainly provided no guarantees on whether he would actually leave Newcastle United.

Verdict – 9/10

The word unprecedented will be rung many times about this transfer window that Arsenal have just had. The idea of filling in all the necessary gaps in the squad as well as adding top-quality players to the mix does make it a top-notch window.

It could have been a 10/10 window had Arsenal improved their sales, although from a squad-building perspective, it’s still a perfect window for the Gunners. With the current players at Arteta’s disposal, there could be no excuses if this team does not end up winning a major honour this season.