Arsenal are primed to go again next season, sights set on the biggest prizes. Mikel Arteta’s transfer efforts this summer certainly speak of ambition.
And there’s more still to come, even after deals for free-scoring striker Viktor Gyokeres and up-and-coming defender Cristian Mosquera are wrapped up, as is expected.
Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their first goal
There’s space for a few more forwards, and the depth of such plans will become clearer upon the resolutions to the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, both wide forwards rumoured to be expendable.
A playmaker would also go down well in north London. Arsenal had registered their interest in RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, but the Dutchman has instead been at the centre of Chelsea’s advancements, with that one now in the pipeline.
Arsenal’s Premier League signings under Arteta
However, with Martin Odegaard settled in his senior role, Arteta will want to consider the ramifications a big-money signing might have on some of the exciting up-and-coming prospects.
Arsenal’s teenage talents
Arsenal commenced their pre-season tour in Asia with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan. A familiar scoreline, but also new parts which demonstrate Arteta’s vision advancing to the next stage.
Bukayo Saka being the goalscorer is nothing new, but the likes of Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri’s starring roles highlight the next batch of elite Hale End prospects arriving at Arteta’s door.
Ethan-Nwaneri-Arsenal
We, of course, know all about Nwaneri, he who emerged onto the scene as a youngster and settled into a role of seniority last year, scoring nine goals and supplying two assists across 37 matches in all competitions.
Against Milan this week, the 18-year-old operated from a central playmaking berth, and it made an interesting comment on his positional value away from the right wing.
However, Dowman made his senior debut against the Italians, emerging from the bench and replacing Saka beyond the hour mark. A symbolic switch if ever there was one.
Max Dowman Arsenal vs Milan stats
Where Dowman, 15, is best suited positionally remains to be seen, but after Arteta hailed the attacking midfielder’s “incredible” first taste of action, the outfit will want to be wary of hampering his development.
Arsenal lining up another attacking midfielder
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal chiefs are locked in talks with the entourage of Eberechi Eze, who has immortalised himself at Crystal Palace after scoring the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final.
Eze-Arsenal
The 27-year-old has a £60m release clause in his contract and the Gunners are the firm favourites to complete a deal, should he be on the move this summer.
Eze, an England international of growing importance, could find himself at the centre of a concrete bid from Arsenal in short time, now that a move for Gyokeres has been wrapped up.Why Arsenal want Eberechi Eze
In 2020, Eze joined Crystal Palace from Queens Park Rangers in the Championship for a £20m fee. He has since become “one of the best players in the Premier League”, in the words of teammate Tyrick Mitchell, posting 40 goals and 28 assists across 148 matches for the Eagles.
The Three Lions star is something special, all right, with his strong athletic build and winged feet making him a dangerous opponent for even the sternest defenders.
As per FBref, Eze ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for assists and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
His average of 1.7 key passes, two dribbles and 4.8 successful duels per Premier League game last season, as per Sofascore, furthers the argument that he’s exactly what Arteta needs to add a dimension and ensure that the biggest prizes across multiple fronts can be chased next term.
Eberechi Eze 2024-25 season in numbers (timeless)
The problem is that Eze’s arrival would spark congestion in the creative midfield position for Arsenal, and this could lead to the stunting of Dowman’s growth. Nwaneri’s midfield role against Milan suggests his future lies in the middle, while the acquisition of Noni Madueke will surely see him play on the right, Dowman’s other preferred role.
And given the prodigious potential that Arteta has in the teenage superstar, is this really the course of action that the club wants to head down?
Dowman-Zubimendi-Leao
Of course, some would argue that Dowman must be eased onto the major stage over the next few years, allowed to grow into his skin without the weight of responsibility that could foil so many youngsters.
But Odegaard is set to continue as the Emirates creator-in-chief over the coming years, and Nwaneri could be his deputy for an age.
Given that Dowman is so ilky and fleet-footed on the ball, bearing an age-belying confidence, you could make the comparison between him and Eze, so there is the fact that he would emerge onto the scene and be impeded by a more accomplished and complete positional rival who has a similar style of play.
And if Arsenal do push ahead with the signing of an out-and-out winger, which is a separate focus to that of Eze, then it would make sense for the Palace man to operate chiefly within a central berth. Thus, Dowman would indeed find himself further down the pecking order than he might hope for.
There’s no question that Eze is a “superstar”, as has been said by analyst Ben Mattinson, but is his signature really needed? It might feel like this is so, but Dowman is one of the most talented teenagers in world football, and he could break through to the Arsenal first team sooner rather than later.
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