A Window of Missed Opportunities or Smart Business? Arsenal's Summer Assessment

Arsenal's objective over the last summer was clear: compile a squad that finally brings home the Premier League, or any silverware for that matter. Save Isak's slow-brewing separation from Newcastle United, much of the window sings Arsenal's praises.

While it would take at least some time to rate a team's decisions effectively, a few undeniable metrics can already show how productive Arsenal was within PSR limits in bolstering their squad ahead of a new season. This review highlights Arsenal's top signings. Surprise mentions and outgoing transfers before offering our final assessment on the Gunners' summer business deals.

Statement Deal: Viktor Gyökeres

Gyökeres is undoubtedly Arsenal's statement signing, for obvious reasons. Arsenal fans can relax a bit from their incessant calls for a centre forward. Fortunately, this time, the club chose not to gamble with "promising" names like Benjamin Šeško, Dušan Vlahovi?, or some other names linked to the Emirates this summer. Anyone else except Isak or Kylian Mbappe might be a risky gamble.

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Of course, the sporting director knew where to go to get an available but lethal frontman: Sporting Lisbon CP. Save his challenging performances at Anfield and Old Trafford early in the season, Gyokeres has shown promising signs for the Gunners and may well provide the much-needed "guaranteed" goals they paid over £54.8 million for.

Finest Signing: Eberechi Eze

Arsenal's pursuit of additional attacking talent became a priority when injury concerns emerged in their forward line. The club's successful acquisition of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze represents what could be their most impactful signing of the summer window.

Injuries derailed Arsenal's pace in past campaigns, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz spending long periods under medical care. But not anymore. This time, news about Kai Havertz's knee injury was all Arsenal needed to explore another attacking signing this summer.

Once it became clear that Havertz would miss some time following knee surgery, Arteta had no choice but to get the signature of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, in what could be their best signing of the summer.

Eze reminds Arsenal faithful of something they lacked since their last title-winning season: a free-flowing side that easily blew. Past teams to eight-point leads with little to worry about. The opposition have learned to double or triple-team Saka and Martin Ødegaard on the flanks to either nullify or dampen their impact. But introducing Eze's technical abilities can make a world of difference.

Here's someone who can drop a shoulder and send a defence the wrong way. He's ready to link up with a ravaging Declan Rice or Viktor Gyökeres to make a notable attacking threat to any team. It remains to be seen how Arteta plays at home, but Eze is one signing that deserves enough celebration for everything he brings to the Gunners.

Surprise Entry: Piero Hincapié

Arsenal's defensive reinforcements proved equally important as their attacking acquisitions. The addition of Ecuador international Piero Hincapié on loan from Bayer Leverkusen provides crucial depth and versatility.

Arsenal's frontline isn't the only victim of an injury raid over the past seasons. Major backline acts like Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori have all spent some significant time under close medical scrutiny over the last three seasons. It wouldn't need a tactical genius to know that Arsenal's defence needs support.

The biggest surprise about Piero Hincapié's signing wasn't the player's name or position. It was the timing. Eze had looked like the final deal of Arsenal's window when the sporting director completed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to bring in Hincapié, who looks much like an upgrade on Jakub Kiwior.

Even better, Arsenal can boast of at least two strong options in every backline position. To many observers, Hincapié's loan could easily become a permanent move next summer as Arteta sometimes gets to rest Gabriel without worrying about dipping backline quality.

While Hincapié may have been a surprise addition to the Gunners, they'd possibly have so much else to wish for if they didn't make a similar move this summer.

On Outgoing Transfers

Arsenal's summer window saw strategic player movements designed to streamline the squad and create opportunities for new signings. The club focused on moving players who were surplus to requirements while maintaining squad depth.

Given Arsenal's history and reputation, one would have thought highly of their outgoing business in recent history. However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£35 million) remains their record sales to date. While the Gunners haven't spared at breaking the bank to attract suitors, they've had little of that reckless pursuit replenished by external clubs.

Several loan deals were completed during the window, but the most notable departure was Jakub Kiwior's move to Porto on a loan-to-buy arrangement. This move allowed Arsenal to bring in Hincapié as defensive reinforcement while ensuring Kiwior gets regular playing time.

The strategic nature of these moves reflects Arsenal's commitment to squad management and player development, ensuring that those who may not feature regularly still have opportunities to progress their careers.

Arsenal might not boast of having the best of business in outgoing deals yet this summer, but the moves made sense from both squad management and player welfare perspectives.

Summary: Assessing Arsenal's Summer Transfer Window

The sporting director clearly maximized the summer transfer window, and the fans are still reveling in it all. Major reinforcements upfront, defence recruits, and a couple of upgrades to the middle of the park meant one summer the fans had rarely seen in recent years.

While Arsenal are yet to show some financial nous in reclaiming sizeable money for fringe players, the biggest story this transfer window could ever tell is that of an earnest silverware hunt. But as it stands, Arsenal deserves an 8/10 grade for its remarkable decisions last summer