Mikel Arteta drops Eberechi Eze Arsenal transfer hint as Andrea Berta given clear next priority
by Kieran Horn · football.londonArsenal still have several decisions to make in the summer transfer window, though Mikel Arteta's focus will now be elsewhere. The Gunners kick off their Premier League season at Old Trafford against Manchester United and have a far from straightforward opening set of fixtures.
Reigning champions Liverpool just about got off to the perfect start with a 4-2 win against Bournemouth and Arsenal will be hoping to also pick up three points. Arteta does not currently look set to have more players added to his squad but there is still work to be done for Andrea Berta.
During his first trading period, the club's new sporting director has shown off what he can do but he now needs to prove his worth by sanctioning exits with favourable terms. Doing that over the next few weeks could even allow Arsenal to make a late approach for another attacking signing, but Arteta has appeared to rule that out.
With all of that being said, football.london has provided a fresh perspective on the latest Arsenal transfer topics and rumours.
Arteta drops Eze transfer hint
Asked if he believes that Arsenal have enough in the attacking midfield area following Ethan Nwaneri's contract extension, Arteta said: "We have great versatility, very different qualities.
"In relation to the opposition, we can manipulate that and have some great cohesion within those units. Very happy."
football.london says: Nwaneri is undoubtedly Arsenal's star for the future but not signing Eze, and potentially allowing Tottenham to acquire his services, could cost Arteta and Co. in the now.
Eze would have likely brought an entirely different dimension to Arsenal's attack but Arteta opted to look elsewhere. Multiple exits going through could see that stance change but given the more marquee departures would likely come out wide, Eze may not be deemed a suitable replacement.
Nwaneri having a breakout season in a central would prove the right decision was made but it does remain to be seen if Arsenal will pay the price for not at least formally trying to sign Eze.
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Berta given next priority
Arteta was able to offer a clear verdict when asked if Arsenal plan to bring in any more players or if the emphasis is now on sealing exits.
"I'll leave that to Andrea and the club," he admitted in a press conference. "My main focus is just about performing, preparing the games in the best possible way and winning because now we've started the season, it's been a long off-season, pre-season with the market and being so active on it and I'll leave it to them."
football.london says: If it wasn't clear already, Berta's task is to agree a number of exits. The likes of Chelsea and Liverpool receiving big fees for certain players has shown the precedent has been set.
However, the Gunners do not really have many sellable assets that are available nor a handful of players ready to exit. The worst-case scenario is that the fringe players deemed surplus to requirements over the next nine months only leave on loan.
Given the lack of active interest for the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard, that is a real possibility that Berta will be keen to avoid.
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