For reasons I explained in my previous post, everything Arsenal does in this window is met with a hyperbolic reaction. Arsenal faithfuls are doing their bit but for the most part, it is rivals trying to "push" us to the title.
In any case, there's reason to be optimistic and I expect the Emirates to be rocking throughout the season. There's a feel-good feeling about the club in recent times and it is pretty obvious why everyone feels this way.
In the past week, we have confirmed the signing of Kai Havertz, renewed contracts for Saliba and Reis Nelson, while Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber completed their medicals. Things are really looking up for Arsenal but it is not just about the fact that we have money to spend, it is the manner and direction that we're going.
Since Wenger left, the club has been somewhat in disarray. We haven't had a proper model and approach in our signings, so our identity was lost in the wind.
I'd admit Unai Emery did not have enough time to imprint his will on the club but he also didn't do himself any favours either. His issues weren't tactical because he has the trophies and resume to dispute that fact, it was more of a lack of charisma and lack of control of the squad.
Arteta, on the hand, has come in and has been given a blank cheque, of sorts. He has received the full support of the board and it is showing in the way we have conducted business, particularly in the past two summer transfer windows.
This change in culture is slowly seeping into the club and this has culminated in Arsenal being the second most valuable club in the world. Once deals for Rice and Timber are confirmed, we will most likely usurp Manchester City for the top spot but that may only be temporary because City are adding Gvardiol to their squad and there may be some existing.
The exits
Just last season, Edu got a lot of stick for the way we conducted business. There were a lot of contract terminations or players simply exiting the club for peanuts but it is safe to say that we're no longer going to be dealing that way.
Other than Pablo Mari's exit that was sealed during the past season when Monza confirmed their stay in Serie A, Granit Xhaka also hit the door and we received around $27m for the Swiss midfielder. A very impressive turnover from a player turning 31 by September.
The good thing about the state of the squad is that we're actually in the latter stages of the clearout. Right now, I can't think of a lot of players in the squad that we can't use or players that don't command decent value in today's market. if we decide to sell.
Of the lot, I think Nicolas Pepe and Rob Holding are the two players that will have a lack of suitors due to their age, wage and struggles during the season. For Rob Holding in particular, I suspect the suitors might be much fewer and farther than it is for someone like Pepe who, despite his lack of playing time can still contribute favourably to most teams.
There have been widespread rumours about Thomas Partey's exit but the club's hierarchy have stressed that if an offer doesn't turn their heads, then we will hold on to the Ghanaian midfielder. As much as I like Thomas Partey, I have to admit that this is a favourable position to take because, first of all, Partey is entering his 30s, has an annoying injury history and most importantly, is still among the best-holding midfielders in the World.
I'd hate to see Partey go but if he must leave, then considering how good he is, it has to be for a fee that's enough to enable Arsenal swiftly bring in a replacement. Names like Lavia and Caicedo are on the list.
Sticking with the midfield, there is also a chance that the young Charlie Patino could be on his way out of the club as well. What I'm saying is that if Nottingham Forrest can pay $55m for Morgan Gibbs-White then Patino should be worth at least half of that price in today's market.
If Charlie is adamant about leaving, we should stick to our guns until a club meets our valuation of the starlet. In today's market when ridiculous sums fly for players with barely any experience, a teenager with one whole season of top-flight football under his belt should command a pretty penny.
Speaking of young guns, there's also a very healthy dilemma in the forward position. We have three very capable strikers that could line up for most teams in the league. Out of the lot, the futures of either Eddie Nketiah or Balogun is still up in the air.
According to rumours, Folarin Balogun has one foot out the door because he wants a more defining role in the squad, rather than being a bit part player. After a prolific season in the French top flight, it is within his right to feel that way but just like Partey, the only way he leaves is if someone is willing to meet our valuation of the player.
From an Arsenal point of view, there's really no reason to panic over the Balogun situation. It's not like anyone has ever died from having three top-level strikers in their squad.
If a decent offer comes in for Balogun, I'd be happy to see him leave and prove himself as the main man somewhere else. I'd also be happy if there's a buyback clause in the contract.
Nketiah seems to have a better understanding of what Arteta wants and we also have Trossard that can feature as a false nine, so we are stacked in that position. All I'm saying is that we no longer have to be pushovers in the market because we have the cards now and we have a young squad with a very high ceiling. Until we meet again, up the Arsenal.
