In the past decade, the Arsenal transfers, or lack thereof, have been absurd. Time and time again Stan Kroenke and the board of directors have disappointed Arsenal fans with frugal financial policies. They currently have a team with talent but a lot of holes. They don’t need a massive overhaul to be good. There are just a few positions that clearly need some fresh blood. However, the board can’t even do that. They’ve reportedly given manager Unai Emery £45m ($56m) for this transfer window. In this current market, that kind of money will get you one good player and a teenage prospect from the French second division. It’s so easy to point out what the 2019 Arsenal transfer targets should be, but with their limited budget, it’s a little tougher to find the right players.
Centerback(s)
Shkodran Mustafi was one of the worst players in the league last season, and captain Laurent Koscielny has betrayed Arsenal, refusing to show up to preseason in order to force a move back to France. This leaves Arsenal with Holding (recovering from an ACL tear) and a 31-year-old Sokratis at centerback. Any other top team with this problem would go for De Ligt, Škriniar, or Koulibaly, who are world class centerbacks looking to join a bigger club. But, that would require at least twice the budget Arsenal have been given.
Slightly more realistic, Nathan Ake from Bournemouth would be perfect. A £40m price tag is doable, and Ake can play centerback as well as left back when needed, another position Arsenal desperately need to strengthen. However, that would take up their whole budget, and it’s unlikely that they’ll use it all on a defender. 18-year-old William Saliba of St-Etienne is being targeted by them as a financially possible option, although they’ll probably find a way to get outbid by North-London rivals Tottenham.
Winger
Currently, Iwobi is the only true winger at the club, limiting the tactical versatility for Emery. Hakimi Zyiech or David Neres of Ajax are both looking to make a move to a bigger club after incredible seasons. Nicolas Pepe of Lille is one of the most sought-after players in the world right now, and for good reason. Any of them would be a Gunner fan’s dream. But, a dream is all it’ll ever be because they’re simply too expensive for Arsenal’s board.
There’s been talk of a £27m Fekir signing, which I’m sure excites Arsenal fans. However, this seems suspiciously cheap and probably won’t happen. Everton Soares should be someone Arsenal should pursue with all their power. After an outstanding Copa America where he announced himself to every top European side, it’s almost inevitable that the Gremio star finds himself in Europe next season. At a reported £30.5m, and likely reasonable wages, he’s perfect for Arsenal.
Left-back
As mentioned earlier, Arsenal desperately need a new left-back and more defensive coverage in general. Shockingly, they actually seem to be making progress in this department. Kieran Tierney of Celtic has been targeted and a £20m bid on him. Although it was rejected, it’s hopeful that a deal for £25m can be reached soon. Young and versatile, he’s exactly what Arsenal need in their defense right now. It almost seems too good to be true for the Gunners.
Poor Business
With Lacazette and Aubameyang, strikers are probably the only position Arsenal don’t need to fix at the moment. However, that didn’t stop them from submitting a £40m bid for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha. Lucky for them, Palace is asking for about £80m and quickly rejected Arsenal’s bid.
This is the kind of behavior in the transfer market that makes you wonder how their transfer targets are picked out by the club. He’s a player who’ll have to share minutes, ask for high wages, and take up their entire budget when they desperately need to strengthen other areas. One can only hope they don’t submit an improved bid.