How did Arsenal do this summer?
How was Arsenal's summer - from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new deal to Mikel Arteta's title change and new signings?
By Bradley WestOne of the most turbulent seasons in Arsenal’s history ended in promising fashion last campaign and, after a summer of change, the future is beginning to look brighter at the Emirates.
Buoyed by evidence of progress made under Mikel Arteta, and with a record 14th FA Cup trophy in the bag thanks to an incredibly satisfying win over Chelsea, the levels of optimism both inside and outside of the club are the highest they have been for as long as many fans care to remember.
And, even if the gap to the top two continues to be a step too far for now, the feeling is that the only way is up for the Gunners.
That has been helped by a fairly successful ‘summer’, or whatever you can call that short gap between these two most unique of seasons, with key additions made in several areas.
Let’s look through some of the key changes made over the summer and how they can improve both the playing squad and the club as a whole.
SIGNINGS
Incomings (first-team):Pablo Mari (Flamengo) - £7.2m
Cedric (Southampton) – Free transfer
Willian (Chelsea) – Free transfer
Gabriel (Lille) - £23.14m
Runar Alex Runnarsson (Dijon) - £1.8m
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) - Loan
Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid) - £45m
Outgoings (first-team):
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Free transfer to Roma
Emiliano Martinez – Sold to Aston Villa for £20m
Konstantinos Mavropanos – Loan to Stuttgart
Matteo Guendouzi - Loan to Hertha BSC
Lucas Torreira - Loan to Atletico Madrid
The most significant signing of the summer hasn’t even been a new player, such is the importance of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s new contract.
The Arsenal captain’s future had been the big ‘will he, won’t he’ cloud hanging over the club for months and it was imperative that the Gabon forward was held onto.
Not only has the club retained its captain but more importantly its best player, a man who scored 29 goals in all competitions last season and shared the Premier League golden boot the season before, who can help drive the team forward.
Central to getting Aubameyang to sign on the dotted line was Arteta, who possesses a brilliant relationship with both the forward and his father, with the boss having persuaded him that Arsenal was the best place for him to stay, create a legacy and lead.
Aubameyang’s new three-year deal will make him the highest paid player at the club while also effectively seeing the star man end his playing days at the Emirates.
Away from Auba the transfer window has been a quiet, if not outstanding, success.
The signing of 22-year-old centre back Gabriel from Lille continues Arteta’s ploy to reshape an historically shaky backline – the Brazilian’s likely future partnership with William Saliba.
The addition of Pablo Mari adds further depth to that area, and allows for those who are surplus to requirements at the back to be sold.
And the return of Dani Ceballos on another loan could be just the ticket the Arsenal midfield needs – a creative man to unlock the doors put in front of him.
The Gunners left it late but they landed the biggest incoming fish on deadline day as their summer-long chase of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey finally bore fruit with a £45m move from Atletico Madrid - Lucas Torreira going on loan the other way.
Partey is headline writers' dream but also a dynamic midfielder who looks set to become the engine of Arsenal's engine room.
Renowned for his defensive stability in protecting the back-line, the 27-year-old is also very good going forward, an expert at ball recovery while engaging in the high press, an excellent passer and scorer of three goals in 35 games for Atletico last year.
BACK OFFICE CHANGE
The summer has seen much change away from the playing squad too with a complete overhaul of the club’s structure initiated.To create a greater sense of clarity at the top, head of football Raul Sanllehi was a high-profile casualty, managing director Vinai Venkatesham replacing him in the role with the club now focusing on a more agent-based approach to transfers.
The executive structure has been streamlined and simplified and Arteta, meanwhile, will work ever more closely alongside technical director Edu – the two looking to be the central figures on incomings and outgoings from now on.
There has been change in the scouting department with the likes of Francis Cagigao, the man who discovered Cesc Fabregas, head of UK scouting Peter Clark and Brian McDermott all shown the door.
An emphasis on a more data-driven scouting operation using a hub of experts based at the club is also the way of the future.
ARTETA’S JOB TITLE
Another change, which may seem insignificant on the surface but is anything but, is the alteration in Arteta’s job title.
Announced on September 11, Arsenal confirmed that the Spaniard’s official title had changed from ‘head coach’ to ‘first-team manager’ to reflect his growing standing at the club.
The move has come as a part of the aforementioned structural shake-up and sees Arteta taking on more responsibility.
Of the change, Venkatesham said at the time: “The last nine months have probably been the most challenging nine months in Arsenal's history - and we've been around for 134 years.
“Despite all of those challenges, Mikel has been driving this football club forward. He has lifted the spirits and lifted the energy here at London Colney and with Arsenal fans all across the world. He is doing an absolutely phenomenal job.
“The other thing that's clear is that right from the day he walked through the door, he was doing much more than being our head coach. So we're going to be changing his job title going forward.
“He'll move from head coach to be the first-team manager. That's recognition of what he's been doing from the day he walked in the door, but also where we see his capabilities.”
Photo credit: Getty Images
