15 June 2023 , 17:34
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Arsenal chief Edu has been criticised for the manner in which the club are doing business this summer.
The Gunners have just enjoyed their best campaign for years, finishing second to Manchester City despite being unfancied by many. Mikel Arteta now wants to build on his young squad ahead of a return to the Champions League, but there are concerns they could miss out on key targets.
Adding depth to what was a relatively thin squad is seen as key with midfield and centre-half areas of concern. Individuals in those positions are set to leave, furthering the need to add quality with the likes of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Ilkay Gundogan all eyed.
Reports have suggested the Gunners have cooled their interest in Caicedo whilst a bid for Rice has been rejected with the likes of Manchester City set to join the party. Jay Bothroyd, who began his career with Arsenal, has bemoaned the club's attitude so far with no major moves being made.
He said on social media: "This reminds me of the old way Arsenal did business!!! All the talk toward the end of the season about the top players they want to sign then getting none! Man City now circling around Rice, if that’s true he’s going City!!!"
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Arsenal's offer for Rice is believed to be below West Ham's valuation, despite the player's contract winding down. City could now be eyeing the England international to strengthen their own midfield options, which could see the north London outfit lose out.
Declan Rice is expected to leave West Ham (GETTY / Marc Atkins)The Gunners have earned praise for their transfer business in recent seasons having shifted their focus. Arteta, Edu and co opted to target younger players, bringing in the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Martin Odegaard before adding Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.
Now though they are going for big names and, as a result, are competing with domestic rivals in the market. They faced criticism initially for missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk, who was on their radar throughout January and made his interest in an Emirates switch known.
Arsenal haggled over price with Shakthar Donetsk but were eventually beaten at the eleventh hour by Chelsea, who swooped in and paid the money. The Ukrainian then sparkled on his debut, but has since underwhelmed.
At the time Gunners fan Piers Morgan said: "I’m irrationally annoyed about this Mudryk fiasco. If Arsenal want to win the League this season, we can’t faff around for weeks on key targets and then get outflanked/outbid at the last minute. Looks weak. We must buy another top class striker asap."