Arsenal are set for a busy summer transfer window as they aim to strengthen their squad ahead of another title challenge.
Mikel Arteta’s side finished just two points off Manchester City, having challenged them for the league in back-to-back seasons, and this summer window will be vital as they aim to strengthen their depth.
Man City were able to rotate more over the course of the campaign, and this is one way in which they were able to maintain their consistency for longer, having gone unbeaten in the league since December.
When it comes to squad building, Arsenal’s process has been excellent under Arteta and Edu Gaspar, but there is one change they can make to match what Man City have done in the market under Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal should reduce focus on Premier League experience in the transfer market
Edu recently explained the process Arsenal undertake when it comes to transfer business.
“On my desk, I have reports of over 180 pages on one player. It’s really detailed stuff – physical, technical, mental profile, whether he has Premier League experience, whether he’ll be able to adapt – everything.”
One line in this really sticks out – that Edu takes into account the level of Premier League experience his transfer targets has.
Arsenal signed players from within the league a lot more in recent years, and whilst this has been a mostly successful strategy, it does have its flaws.
For example, Arsenal chose to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in 2022, when they were also interested in Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad. Two years later, Arsenal are now interested in Isak again, but his price tag has shot up.
The notion of Premier League proven quality being important does have its merits, as seen in the signing of Declan Rice, but it should be treated with caution, as seen at Man City.
Manchester City’s best signings have been from outside the Premier League
Man City have a bigger budget than Arsenal, but this does not stop them from scouting the best talents from other leagues, rather than focusing on Premier League players.
Erling Haaland, Rodrii, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias have been some of City’s best signings under Guardiola, and all of them came from other leagues.
Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Matheus Nunes have perhaps been Guardiola’s worst signings in recent seasons, and all three were bought on the basis that they have Premier League experience.
Arsenal need to apply this thinking to their targets now. Bruno Guimaraes and Douglas Luiz have been linked as Premier League-experienced midfielders with premium price tags, but there is an argument to suggest that they should sign a younger prospect such as Benfica’s Joao Neves, who could perhaps surpass both in the long run.
Isak and Ivan Toney have been linked as strikers, but again, signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig could be cheaper, and better in the long run, despite his lack of Premier League experience, and this could end up being the difference in future title races.