Greg . 7 hours ago

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal had clear transfer strategy to get business done early

Arsenal’s transfer strategy this summer was deliberate: They wanted to strike early, get the core business done, then hold back for the finishing touches.

Deals for Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres have been the headline deals - while Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga all acquired up in time for the new season.

But as the window edges towards its close, the finishing touches have not arrived.

Instead, sources state there is a growing sense of indecision around whether to push for a marquee addition or even walk away altogether.

Two names have lingered over the Gunners’ planning - Rodrygo and Eberechi Eze - but both situations have developed in intriguing ways.

With Rodrygo, Arsenal’s strategy was clear as they wanted to wait for Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign to wrap up, then see if the Brazilian would underway the door.

The Gunners were even prepared to slot him in at the top end of their wage structure, a transfer that underlined how serious they were about bringing him in.

Yet weeks later, Rodrygo’s situation remains largely unchanged.

And while flattered by Arsenal’s persistence - he has not pushed for an exit.

Unless Madrid nudge him towards the door, there might be no movement.

Eze’s case is different.

Sources nearing the player suggest he was genuinely excited at the prospect of Arsenal making their interest concrete.

He was on edge waiting for a bid, fully aware of how strong the admiration was inside the club.

But hesitation crept in from the Arsenal hierarchy.

The staff see Eze primarily as a No.

10, not the left-sided attacker they feel could truly elevate their frontline.

While he can play wide, his profile doesn’t match the blueprint Arteta has in mind for that flank.

That uncertainty gave Tottenham room to transfer in - and they have done exactly that, progressing talks while Arsenal sit tight.

Still, there is a sense that Arsenal would like one more attacker.

There is no great push to transfer on either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard, but privately there is doubt about whether that duo alone can carry the club to the title.

The will is there - the conviction is not.

Ironically, the clearer pathway to a signing might now come in defence.

Both Jakob Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could depart before deadline day.

Kiwior has been pursued by FC Porto, with a loan-and-obligation structure on the table.

Zinchenko, meanwhile, has been frustrated by his role and even confessed to feeling embarrassed by the amount of time he’s spent on the bench.

At the end of last summer, it looked like he had suitors in Italy and Germany, but that market has gone quiet and his strongest links recently have been to teams in Turkey.

Arsenal may be forced to let him leave on the cheap.

If both exits materialise, Arsenal will need cover.

That opens the door for a late addition - not the glamour of Rodrygo or the artistry of Eze, but a functional defender to plug the gaps.

So, one in? Two in? None at all? The reality is Arsenal’s business is hanging by different threads.

There is the tempting pursuit of stardust, a missed opportunity in Eze and a defensive reinforcement that could dictate whether anyone new walks through the Emirates doors.

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