Would Arsenal be better off adding one marquee signing or spreading their money around to cover other positions

Ben White

Would Arsenal be better off adding one marquee signing or spreading their money around to cover other positions?

By Oscar Maung-Haley

To get the best players, you have to pay more money.
And with the new Premier League season hurtling towards us, we ask the question: should Arsenal focus on quality over quantity in the transfer market ahead of the new campaign?

The case for depth

Joe Willock

Last season, key players like Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey all missed multiple games through injury.
Alongside the injuries, there are also a number of players set to be leaving the Emirates too this summer.
Granit Xhaka was said to be close to joining Roma, Hector Bellerin’s future remains uncertain and both Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos are returning to the Bernabeu after their loan spells.
Additionally, David Luiz has also left the Emirates too.
Given that all five featured prominently for the Gunners last season, they will need replacing.
While true Arsenal could bring William Saliba, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock back into the fold to offset this, they could also look to add a number of new faces to provide extra cover.
However, there is one major difference between this season and the last.
For the first time since 1996, Arsenal won’t be involved in any form of European football.
Given that for the last five years the Gunners have had to deal with Thursday night Europa League football, it might make more sense to improve their squad with one or two marquee signings than added depth.
Without Europa League football, Arsenal would not have to rotate their squad for the Premier League as much - provided they stay injury free.

The case for marquee signings

There can be no doubt that the quality of Arsenal’s squad pales in comparison to that of the Premier League’s top table.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and – potentially – Leicester City all have better quality within their ranks.
Adding multiple faces might be necessary for the upcoming season
But adding one or two quality additions would certainly help improve Arsenal’s chances of catching up.
With Brighton’s Ben White looking to set to join the club for a reported deal worth up to £50m, Arsenal may already have their lone marquee addition.
However, should there be funds available for another big summer signing, the club should absolutely
look to upgrade their options in the middle of the park with so many departures in the pipeline.
Of course, it’s entirely possible to add depth and quality.
But the best of the best pay the money needed to improve their starting line-ups.
While Arsenal won’t be going toe-to-toe with Manchester City, who could add both Harry Kane and Jack Grealish to their squad this summer, improving the starting line-up is a must if they are to compete long-term.
White is a start, and will improve Arsenal defensively.
But if Mikel Arteta’s side are to compete, they must look to add more quality to a team that finished a disappointing eighth last season.

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