Mikel Arteta explained a few aspects of the club’s transfer policy
Arteta on Arsenal’s transfer policy
“We will see where we finish with the money that we have spent and what we have done in the last few years. We’re going to have seven players that have left the club and five that are coming in, so we are not bringing in more players than we already have. It’s already a big turnaround again and we’re going to try and do it in the right way, so this club is stable. It is a clear indicator, the business that we are doing. The ages are between 21 and 23-years-old and it tells you the project that we are building.”
Arteta’s explanation of the Odegaard signing
“Well, we’ve seen Joe here for a long time in different stages of his career and Joe is a player that we valued and we liked so much. After that spell, obviously, his profile changed, his ambitions personally changed, and the game time that he needed was very different to what we could give him in this moment.”
“We made a decision together to decide the best way for his pathway in his career, and after that we lost Dani and we lost Joe and didn’t have Martin, so in terms of creativity in the team and options in that position, we were really short. You’ve seen the numbers and what we did after Christmas when Martin was in the team and we had people like Emile, the team performed at a completely different level. He’s someone that we admire and he’s still at the age in his career when the potential he has is still immense.”
His verdict on Ramsdale and Leno
“Well, it’s what we want (having two good goalkeepers) and it’s always been the case at this football club, it’s nothing new. We’re going to have two different profiles at two different stages in their career. Aaron is a really, really talented young goalkeeper with already huge experience and an international for England, and he’s going to bring competition, which is what we want, to create healthy competition, quality competition in every position. We needed a goalkeeper there and he’s the ideal option.”
How much can Odegaard improve Arsenal?
We all saw that horrific [team 19] performance against [team 236] on Friday night. The worst possible start to the [league 8] season for Arteta’s men. It’s clear that against Brentford, it was an attitude problem, an energy problem. Even with their best eleven, they would have lost that game because the body language and the overall energy were terrible.
It is worth mentioning that [player 26823] improved Arsenal last season. During his loan spell, he had some brilliant performances, and the Arsenal fans loved the way he played. A young, exciting and dynamic player is something that can change Arsenal’s season and bring them back on track.
Against Brentford, there were moments when Arsenal were solely relying on [player 1494446] to create chances. The guy is a kid, and that much attention and pressure on him will not help his progress. Odegaard’s arrival in that sense could prove right. Smith Rowe will also have someone he can combine with effectively.
Overall, the young age approach that Arsenal are going with is a great one. It could mean that Arsenal will be a force in a few years. The signing of [player 3259] from [team 78] is of the mould. The academy products like [player 16827155] and Smith Rowe are also showing plenty of potential. Also, the [player 9438] signing also suggests that they are preparing for the future. The average age of the squad is getting younger which is exciting for the fans.
However, the present has to change as well. Consistent 8th place finishes should be unacceptable for a club of this size. It’s great to focus and build for the future, but some sort of short-term objectives are necessary to preserve the club on a high level.
Given how the last two seasons have gone, this could be [coach 307]’s last chance to prove his worth as a manager.
Author: Devashish Akolekar
