Four things we learned from Arsenal's summer transfer window

Ian Mills reflects on Arsenal's summer transfer window business 

The Gunners record transfer splurge has given us our strongest squad for a generation – now silverware needs to follow, says Ian Mills 

Here are four things that stood out after this summer's dealings.

1 - Attacking options now in abundance

– our longstanding search for a new striker finally ended as we captured the signature of the Swede, Viktor Gyokeres.

Having scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon, Gyokeres was on the radar of numerous clubs however once he learned of Arsenal’s interest, his heart was set on a switch to the Gunners.  While it would be foolish to expect a similar goals return to the one he achieved in Portugal, he should certainly add at least 15 to 20 goals across all competitions.

However, we need to learn how to best integrate him into the team and vice versa as he has been starved of service in his first two away games.

The jury is currently out given his somewhat nomadic route to the Premier League and at 27, he should be in his prime. 

With the signing of Eberechi Eze, we have added a mercurial talent.

Another 27-year-old, this time returning to his boyhood club 14 years after being released, his redemption arc is all set to be written.

He is Premier League proven, an England international and has just come off the back of the most successful season in Crystal Palace’s history.

You will not find a player more determined for his career in an Arsenal shirt to be successful as he is making up for lost time. He looks elated to have re-joined us, and I think he could really explode in the red and white.

2 - Defensive options the envy of Europe

– we already have in my opinion, the best centre back pairing in England and with the defensive additions we have made I believe we now have the best defensive unit in Europe.

I would not swap our defence with any other team. We have a quality back up keeper who is Premier League proven in Kepa Arrizabalaga, a very promising 21 year old centre back in Cristhian Mosquera who was excellent at Anfield where he came on as an early replacement for William Saliba.

Piero Hincapie arrived on loan on deadline day having been part of the Invincibles at Bayer Leverkeusen. He offers real quality at both centre back and left back and also carries a significant threat at set pieces.

3 - Strength in depth in every position

- Martin Zubimendi’s arrival felt slightly underwhelming as it had been expected for months, yet the purchase of the Spainard adds one of the best defensive midfielders around and again at 26 he is at an age when he is ready to win.

Noni Madueke’s signing certainly split our fanbase and a lot of the online reaction was disgraceful. What he has already shown is his electric pace will cause opposition defences whilst also creating opportunities in attack.

Christian Norgaard made the move from West to North London having spent six years at Brentford and brings a wealth of experience as the Bees Captain.

4 - Outgoings underline good business 

As for the those heading out of the club, there was good business too – there were permanent moves for Sambi Lokonga (Hamburg), Marquinhos (Cruzeiro) and Nuno Taveres (Lazio).

Jacob Kiwor heads for Porto on loan for 12 months with  an option to buy and Reiss Nelson went on loan to Brentford. There were also loan moves for Karl Hein (Werder Bremen), Fabio Vieira (Hamburg) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Nottingham Forest). Kieran Tierney, Jorginho and Thomas Partey were all out of contract and joined Celtic, Flamengo and Villarreal respectively. After numerous injury problems, Takehiro Tomiyasu was released.

After several disappointing transfer windows where it felt we either did not do enough business or simply did nothing at all, this feels like a statement summer and gives us a squad that is now equipped to challenge on four fronts.

I still feel we should sell better yet you have to acknowledge the excellent incoming business therefore I will give the club an 8 out of 10 for this window.