Arsenal supporters are set to see a plethora of different stories come to light about Andrea Berta’s transfer activity in the coming months, with Mikel Arteta looking to restructure the squad and build a Premier League-winning side.
When asked about planning for next season, after Arsenal were confirmed as runners-up behind Liverpool, the Gunners boss admitted to getting “goosebumps” when thinking of the summer ahead.
A lot of noise is centered around their search for a new striker, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko both being worked on by Arsenal (BBC), but the north Londoners could reinforce a host of other areas.
Arsenal held talks over a deal for Dean Huijsen, before his switch to Real Madrid, and it is believed that Berta is actively pursuing a new winger as well, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
They appear set to attack the market with gusto after missing out on this year’s title to Liverpool by 10 points, and Arteta has commenced work behind-the-scenes, by his own admission.
“Now, immediately,” said Arteta when he was asked about planning for the new season, after their last game of 24/25 against Southampton (via Sky).
“The moment I start to think about that, I feel goosebumps and excitement. We already have some things that we are discussing and making decisions. Everything that is planned for pre-season and the first few weeks of the season is already done two, three months ago. So we are now really good.
“My day will look already different. There are a lot of things to do, but it won’t be, especially with that feeling in my tummy, that [feeling of] a game is coming up. It will be a different one and that changes everything.”
A lot of planning has also gone into a pre-summer deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
After months of rumoured talks, Fabrizio Romano finally gave his famous ‘here we go’ to the deal recently, and the BBC reported that a medical had been scheduled for the £51 million Spain international.
However, Zubimendi himself threw a spanner in the works with his quotes from this week, telling Radio Nacional that the medical claims were actually untrue.
After this message, and a similar denial of Arsenal’s advances from Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay, journalist Graeme Bailey has shared a comforting update on the complex sitiuation which is confusing a lot of supporters.
Speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey said that Zubimendi to Arsenal is in fact a “done deal” – and the club are not worried about the 26-year-old’s surprise interview or the potential for Real Madrid to swoop in.
“Arsenal are aware of the quotes from Zubimendi – but from what I am told, the deal is considered done at the Emirates,” said the reporter.
“They are not worried, they knew these things might come up when Xabi Alonso was appointed.
“From what I am told, this is happening – it is a done deal. But obviously, the fans want to see that picture of him holding the shirt up, signed and sealed. Until that point, speculation is open to continue.”
The “world-class” midfield technician, who’s been a star mainstay for Sociedad and helped Spain seize Euro 2024 glory last year, has been a top target since January, with talks advancing as far back as winter (The Mail).
Losing out on Zubimendi at this stage would be a hammer blow for Arteta, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey and Jorginho confirmed to be leaving.
