Ex-Arsenal man assesses Arsenal’s squad depth and remaining transfer targets

Arsenal has already presented multiple big names during the transfer window, but more top players could soon be on their way to join Mikel Arteta’s squad. Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga have been unveiled as new signings, with Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera expected to follow.

The Gunners are also linked with moves for the likes of Rodrygo and Eberechi Eze, but a few departures seem to be on the horizon as well.

We recently spoke to ex-Arsenal man Anders Limpar who praised Arsenal’s transfer activity and squad depth, but also warned Mikel Arteta of issues that can arise from having a big team.

Will Gyokeres be a starter?

Many people expect Gyokeres to be the main striker, a thought echoed by Limpar, but he also underlined that his compatriot isn’t guaranteed to be a starter.

Limpar expects Gyokeres to compete with Gabriel Jesus, but mentions that both Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino can play very well in that position as well.

“It’s still pre-season and everything can happen, but Gyokeres is going to compete with Gabriel Jesus first of all. Kai Havertz is a very intelligent and good player, and he can play in the number nine role as well of course, and we have even seen Merino play in that role”, says Limpar and continues:

“So, in my opinion Arteta got four players to compete for the number nine position, but when you sign a player in that calibre and for that kind of money, you will obviously start him.”

“But it´s up to Gyokeres to score goals and produce good chances, because he is not guaranteed a place in the starting lineup, but Arteta wants a hell of a team to compete for the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final.”

Arsenal have a wealth of options in midfield

Limpar also commented on the midfield depth that the Gunners boast after securing the signings of Zubimendi and Norgaard. He had special praise for Zubimendi and expects him to be in Arteta's first-choice midfield alongside Ødegaard and Declan Rice.

"We have Merino, Zubimendi, Nørgaard, Fabio Vieira. They are unbelievable players, all of them."

"In the past, all the players who came from La Liga, they're very good. Spanish players, they can play football for real. He played for Real Sociedad and he was one of the best midfielders in La Liga. So that's an unbelievable signing."

"I believe we're going to start with Zubimendi, Ødegaard and Declan Rice. If Zubimendi is as good as Partey was, we're gonna have a hell of a year to look forward to."

“It will be a hell of a dressing room”

When it comes to keeping every player happy, Limpar says that Arteta has a very difficult job ahead of him, and as much as he praised the expected arrival of Gyokeres, he makes it clear that the competition can create quite an interesting dressing room atmosphere.

“He needs 22 good players to win big trophies, and now he has four very good options for the number nine role. For Arteta it won´t be a problem, but for the players it will be a problem, and to have so many stars, it will be a hell of a dressing room if only 11 players can play.”

“Then he will have maybe 10 or 11 unhappy players, and to cope with that is the hardest thing there is for a manager.”

“The hardest thing for a manager at a top club is to cope with 20 superstars, but he wants the best players and then it’s up to Arteta to pick the best players.”

Moves for Rodrygo or Eze will require some sales

The Gunners are also heavily linked to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. Limpar says that it would be amazing for his former side to sign both players, but to do that, they first need to sell.

“Eze is a very versatile player, he can play the number nine and as a winger. He is a prospect. He has shown the whole world that he is one of the best players. He is a tremendous player.”

“But yet again, it´s a lot of money to spend on a player, while Arsenal already has superstars in Martinelli, Trossard and Nwaneri. Nwaneri is a hell of a prospect."

“If Arsenal signs Eze, then wow, it is a very good signing, but only a few players can play and Arsenal have so many good players in that position as well.”

“Arsenal are bringing in Gyokeres, Zubimendi, Nørgaard, Madueke and probably Eze or whatever, then you have to sell a couple of players if you want Rodrygo as well.”

"That's how it works. You need to get some money in if you are buying so many players.”

“But Rodrygo is on everybody's lips at the moment, and with him and Eze and the rest of the players, Arsenal will have a hell of a team and be competing for all the titles.”

With Eze sitting on odds of 5/4 to join Arsenal by the end of the window and Rodrygo being at 16/1, it’s worth using our bet calculator to see just how much is up for grabs if you successfully back both men to arrive at the Emirates.

Some arrivals are definitely still expected, but time will tell how many of them will be available for Mikel Arteta when Arsenal kick off their campaign against Manchester United on August 17th.

Read more as Anders Limpar shares lofty ambitions for the silverware Arsenal could take home this season