Arsenal garnered praise for their summer transfer activities, notably securing Declan Rice for a record £105 million. However, subsequent player performances and injuries have cast a shadow over the overall success of their transfer endeavors.
Jurrien Timber, a promising signing from Ajax, faced misfortune with a severe knee injury, limiting his contributions to just two matches.
Kai Havertz, the £65 million acquisition, struggled to find the net from open play until November, while goalkeeper David Raya hasn’t entirely convinced Arsenal fans of his superiority over Aaron Ramsdale.
Facing a challenging period with three consecutive losses in the New Year, the Gunners hoped the January transfer window would be pivotal in reshaping their season. However, Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints might postpone significant spending until the summer.
Looking ahead to Arsenal’s plans for the upcoming summer window, their primary objective seems to be acquiring a quality striker. Despite the desire to secure the services of Ivan Toney, valued at £80 million, his current club, Brentford, shows reluctance to part ways mid-season, especially after his absence due to betting offenses in the first half of the campaign.
Arsenal’s pursuit of midfielder Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa is another focal point. Despite his staggering valuation at £100 million, reports suggest that the Gunners are actively pursuing the Brazilian. Previous bids for Luiz, capped at £25 million, were unsuccessful, but Arsenal is reportedly intensifying efforts behind the scenes.
Comparisons between Douglas Luiz and former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka reveal intriguing parallels in playing style. Xhaka’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, despite a remarkable season with Arsenal, left a void that Luiz could potentially fill. Analysts note that Luiz’s current performances mirror Xhaka’s output, with seven goals and six assists in the current season.
Examining their roles, Luiz and Xhaka exhibit remarkable similarities in pass success rates, key passes, passes into the final third, and attacking contributions. Luiz’s potential ability to surpass Xhaka’s attacking numbers from the previous season aligns well with Arsenal’s system under Mikel Arteta.
While Arsenal opted for Kai Havertz as Xhaka’s replacement, the parallels between Luiz’s attributes and Xhaka’s playing style highlight a potentially missed opportunity. Luiz, flourishing in Unai Emery’s system at Aston Villa, seems tailor-made to thrive in Arsenal’s midfield.
As Arsenal navigates the complexities of the transfer market, the decisions made in the upcoming summer window will significantly impact the team’s trajectory and aspirations for success in the seasons ahead.
