Arsenal had a productive and efficient summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta didn’t need to make wholesale changes, but just to sprinkle some star dust on his squad and beef up a team trying to win the big prize.
Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last season and they know they are closer than ever to becoming champions of England again.
The majority of the XI speaks for itself that’s why Arsenal only brought in five senior players, including snapping up goalkeeper David Raya for good.
There was improvement from back to front, including Arsenal signing Raheem Sterling on a loan deal from Chelsea on deadline day.
Added to that, Mikel Merino arrived after winning Euro 2024 with Spain, Riccardo Calafiori strengthened the defence and Neto replaced Aaron Ramsdale as the back-up goalkeeper.
But there is one signing Darren Bent wished the Gunners had made, even though they added fresh legs and defensive bite to their midfield with the arrival of Merino.
Aston Villa secured a club-record transfer for Amadou Onana from Everton after the Champions League side lost key man Douglas Luiz to Juventus.
Bent stated ‘I wanted Arsenal to sign him’, with the 23-year-old making an outstanding start to life at Villa Park by scoring two goals in three games.
The former striker called Onana a ‘powerhouse’ and how he feels the £50 million star has been a ‘great signing’ for former Arsenal boss, Unai Emery, as he told talkSPORT (03/09/24 at 5:45 pm).
Amadou Onana at Arsenal
“The best one (signing), I mean, it was a lot of money, but I really like what they have done there,” said Bent. “They lost a really key player in Douglas Luiz and they brought in Onana.
“Phowar. I wanted Arsenal to sign him because he is a powerhouse, by the way. Two goals in his first three games as well. I think he has been a great signing.”
Arsenal’s midfield strength
Captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey have been the trio to start in the middle of the park for Arteta this season.
But after Rice’s red card against Brighton, changes will need to be made after the international break when Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham.
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Kai Havertz has played in midfield before, so that could be an option, their Euro 2024 winner is injured, so he is off the table.
There is the experienced Jorginho who could come into the midfield or even a left-field choice such as putting the versatile Jurrien Timber in there.
Either way, Arteta has options, even if they didn’t sign Onana, as they have serious depth in that area now and there should be no excuse for getting over that winning title line.
The post 'He is a powerhouse': Darren Bent admits he wanted Arsenal to sign £50m star now thriving at rivals appeared first on HITC.
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