Arsenal and Liverpool are set to once again lock horns next season as the pair take aim at the Premier League title. The two sides have already effectively begun their battle in the summer transfer market, with the two sides aiming to top the investment table alongside Chelsea
The Gunners have confirmed six signings with a total spend of around £200million, while Arne Slot’s team has also made six signings with a total spend of circa £280million. Yet neither side has concluded their business, with the potential for at least one more major signing yet to be made.
Alexander Isak has made it clear to Newcastle United he wishes to leave the club this summer, with the Reds the frontrunners for the Swede’s signature. Arsenal, on the other hand, want to bring in one more attacking signing, and football.london understands that Eberechi Eze is the primary target.
Assuming both Liverpool and Arsenal are successful in adding their seventh additions to the team, the question will be asked which of the two title favourites has had the best summer window? On paper, it might just be the look at the volume of Liverpool’s expenditure, which with Isak could exceed £400million, and the names on the list to make it a no-brainer; however, there is some important context to consider.
Ahead of the window, Arsenal had six or seven necessities for the window (the seventh dependent on Thomas Partey’s future, which has since been concluded with the expiration of his contract): A back-up goalkeeper, a right-sided defender to provide depth to William Saliba and right-back, two defensive midfielders to replace Partey and Jorginho, a winger who could better cover Bukayo Saka after the talisman’s four-month-long absence last season, a left-sided attacking option to upgrade the flank, and a game-changing centre-forward.
With the additions of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze (hopefully), and Viktor Gyokeres, the sporting director, Andrea Berta, will have a complete tick sheet. However, looking to Merseyside, even with the arrival of Isak, there are some glaring issues in Slot’s squad.
Jarrell Quansah has been sold, Ibrahima Konate has not agreed a new deal amid links to Real Madrid, and 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk has signed a new deal but is entering the twilight of his career. Depth in the middle of the defence is lacking; Joe Gomez (28) and Rhys Williams (24) are the options available beyond the named group
Many felt the Reds should strengthen their defensive midfield. Wataru Endo supports Ryan Gravenberch, and Stefan Bajcetic has returned from a loan with Las Palmas.
Isak brings a level to the centre-forward role arguably not seen since Luis Suarez was at the club. The wealth of attacking talent dwarfs the Gunners’, even after the arrivals of Gyokeres, Madueke, and Eze, unless the trio reach levels we’ve not yet seen from them in England.
However, when considering the squads holistically, Liverpool have issues that are not present for Arsenal.
