S Poddar
Arsenal have made the signing of Mikel Merino official as the club’s transfer activity in the lead-up to deadline day remains well and truly on. And with Merino finally in the fold, it’s been claimed that Arsenal are likely to turn their attention to signing a new striker. One name doing the rounds is that of Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, with reports suggesting interest has been revived after first being discussed prior to his 2022 transfer to Anfield.
While the spotlight is mostly on the latest signings, there are also the updates on departures. Eddie Nketiah’s expected £30m move to Nottingham Forest has reportedly hit a hitch, but Crystal Palace is now supposedly closing in on securing the striker. This plot twist has kept Nketiah’s future up in the air as multiple clubs have expressed interest in signing him.
But the strangest one is that Arsenal’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was literally minutes away from leaving, and the transfer collapses, meaning he stays with Arsenal at least until further developments take center stage. Meanwhile, another defender Jakub Kiwior became of interest to a few European teams like Villarreal, Bologna, and Fiorentina but will remain in the main team for Arsenal this season. He probably would fight for his position on the left back with Oleksandr Zinchenko, hence bringing competition into the team.
The next match will be against Brighton in the Premier League. Merino, whose game fitness might be a question since he did not play the opening games of this season for Real Sociedad, could start this weekend. Though the big question is yet to be seen whether he will be an instant success or will require time to acclimatize, Mikel Arteta, the head coach at Arsenal, seems to consider him as one who will provoke great team success due to his technical capabilities and leadership in the middle of the pitch.
Arteta’s quotes reflect the same buzz in the club regarding the new signing, especially following Merino’s outstanding performances at the Euros, where he played a crucial role in leading Spain to victory. According to the manager, he said that Merino will give more value to the squad technically and as a character; therefore, increasing the ambition for the season.
While Arsenal is in the thick of transfer action, supporters will get a glimpse of how these things fall into place and, of course, unexpected ones before the window will shut down. In this line, the club’s plans seem to strengthen the squad yet retain the familiar faces, so it would bring an exciting season for the Gunners both domestically and in continental challenges.
