Sport nationMikel Arteta told £95m double transfer could unlock Arsenal secret weapon in Man City title race
Arsenal only just missed out on the Premier League title last season, but with just two more signings Mikel Arteta could finally dethrone Manchester City
Arteta told double transfer could unlock Arsenal secret weapon in title race (Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta could finally get his hands on the Premier League title this season if Arsenal welcome just two new faces to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners enjoyed a busy start to the summer transfer window, with the arrivals of three high-profile players.
Kai Havertz led the north Londoners’ spending spree, controversially joining from Chelsea. After an opening bid was rejected, Arsenal returned with an improved offer worth £60million, including £5million of add-ons, which the Blues gladly accepted.
As already hinted at by Arteta, the 24-year-old is expected to feature in midfield for the Gunners – which is considerably deeper than the striker role he was ushered into at Stamford Bridge. Havertz, of course, remains an option for the north Londoners further forward, but the Spaniard seems keen to mould him into an eight.
The addition of Jurrien Timber quickly followed; the 22-year-old defender completed a £34.2million move from Ajax, with a potential further £4.3million in add-ons. Upon his arrival, he insisted that he can play three positions – centre-half, right-back and holding midfield – offering Arteta plenty of flexibility.
Then, the signing of Declan Rice just a day later saw the Gunners’ summer spending spree eclipse an eye-watering £200million. The Hammers were initially reluctant to sell the 24-year-old but, after he led the club to European glory, David Sullivan sanctioned his departure.
Arsenal have paid West Ham a guaranteed £100 million, including a potential further £5million in add ons, making Rice the most expensive British player ever. With Granit Xhaka cast aside and Thomas Partey expected to leave this summer too, the England international joins Timber as a potential option in holding midfield.
The three new signings certainly impressed within their own right on their debut against the MLS All-Stars. But, if Arteta wants to finally get his hands on the Premier League title then he may need to make a further two additions – Mohammed Kudus and Joshua Kimmich.
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According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are interested in Kudus, whose versatility is viewed as a ‘particularly attractive’ quality to the club’s recruitment staff. The 22-year-old has predominantly operated as a centre-forward or a right-winger for the Dutch outfit, but he’s been known to play as an attacking midfielder and as a No 8 at times.
The report states that Kudus is also of interest to Brighton, but his desire to continue playing in the Champions League and fight for the Premier League title could emerge as a deciding factor. As for Kimmich, he faces a somewhat uncertain future at Bayern Munich.
In May, Spanish outlet Marca revealed that Arsenal are long admirers of the 28-year-old midfielder. Like Kudus and the Gunners’ three new signings, Kimmich can play several positions to an exceptionally high standard.
If Arteta managed to get his hands on Kudus and the Germany international then Arsenal would finally have the squad depth to rival Manchester City for the English top-flight. However, according to the CIES Football Observatory, a double deal could cost as much as £95.2million…
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