Arsenal transfer news and targets: What we know about Unai Emery’s summer plans

New man at the helm | Unai Emery
Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
James Olley17 July 2018

In a departure from the latter years under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have done the vast majority of their business early and efficiently.

New boss Unai Emery has quickly set about moving on from the Wenger era with five new signings.

Lucas Torreira looks to be a shrewd acquisition addressing a longstanding issue within the team. The £26million signing from Sampdoria will need to adapt to the Premier League but appears to have all the attributes to add much needed bite in central midfield.

Bernd Leno is Petr Cech’s long-term successor in goal - perhaps the wait will not even be that long - while Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis Papastathopoulos bring experience to a previously vulnerable back-line. Matteo Guendouzi is one for the future and with Jack Wilshere departing, Arsenal already have a decidedly different feel about them. Emery will not want speculation over Aaron Ramsey’s future to continue into the season with just a year left on his contract.

The manager confirmed last week Arsenal’s business is likely to be done unless an exceptional opportunity arises but even then they have already spent their summer budget.

Whether the arrivals are of sufficient quality to break back into the top four is unknown. However, Arsenal are in a better place at this stage of the window than usual and with a change of manager, there is cause for optimism.

Arsenal's transfer window so far

 

In: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£16m, B Dortmund), Bernd Leno (£20m, B Leverkusen), Lucas Torreira (£26m, Sampdoria), Stephan Lichtsteiner (free, Juventus), Matteo Guendouzi (£7m, Lorient)

Out: Jack Wilshere (free, West Ham), Santi Cazorla (released), Per Mertesacker (retired)

Spent: £69m

Recouped: £0

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