£30m signing could seek January exit: Two winners and two losers from Arsenal's summer transfer window - View

The transfer window has been and gone for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta once again and it was yet another one to pass without a number...

Sep 1, 2024 - 22:00
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£30m signing could seek January exit: Two winners and two losers from Arsenal's summer transfer window - View

The transfer window has been and gone for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta once again and it was yet another one to pass without a number nine signed.

Arsenal did have an active window and went right up to the deadline to bring in Raheem Sterling from Chelsea.

Sterling joined fellow summer signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino in signing for the Gunners and all three are expected to play a big role.

Of course, like with any transfer window, there are winners and losers to emerge from it.

New signings can often mean someone else is bumped down the pecking order, while sometimes exits can also mean a change of dynamic at the club.

Here, then, we’ve looked at two winners and two losers from Arsenal’s summer transfer window.

Winner One – Raheem Sterling

There’s nowhere else to start, really.

Raheem Sterling has gone from being ousted by Chelsea and being told he’s not part of the plan under Enzo Maresca to now being part of a team pushing for the title.

Some are divided over the signing of Sterling but there is so much upside to the deal for Arsenal.

They are only paying a fraction of his wage, have no obligation to buy him, and in turn are getting a serial winner who will now feel he has a point to prove.

Sterling, then, could be massive for Arsenal.

Arsenal unveil new signing Raheem Sterling at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 30, 2024 in London Colney, England.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Loser One – Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko has had a slow demise at Arsenal since signing from Man City for £30m.

Initially, he was part of the big turnaround in attitude and standards at the club and very much cemented himself as the main left-back who stepped into midfield.

However, the signing of Jurrien Timber last season and now the addition of Riccardo Calafiori sees Zinchenko bumped down the pecking order even further.

Zinchenko may still play a big role this season but on the flipside, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him push for a January exit either.

Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal FC during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium on August 1...
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

Winner Two – Kai Havertz

There’s no doubt that Kai Havertz has been a brilliant signing for Arsenal but even he must have been wondering if they’d finally sign that number nine.

But for now, Havertz remains the key option there for Mikel Arteta which means he’s going to play every week for the foreseeable future.

Of course, the German deserves to play and scored again this weekend.

But if a new number nine ever does arrive, then that will be the time he starts to worry.

Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion F...
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Loser Two – Gabriel Martinelli

While Martinelli has been a key player for Arsenal in recent seasons, the signing of Leandro Trossard showed last season that he might not be doing enough.

Jay Bothroyd has suggested Martinelli is being selected from past endeavours and with the signing of Raheem Sterling, the Brazilian will be worried.

Competition is good for any team but with Sterling in the building looking to prove a point and Trossard still contributing, Martinelli needs to up his game considerably.

Time will tell, but you feel Martinelli is facing a big season this year.

Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal  during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, ...
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

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