Arsenal’s Champions League exit has sparked debate about the club’s summer transfer strategy and the broader challenges facing English clubs in Europe.

Manager Mikel Arteta looks set for significant backing as he aims to strengthen the squad. However, questions linger about whether the Premier League’s demanding schedule hinders its teams’ chances of continental success.

MUNICH, GERMANY: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected after the team's defeat and elimination from the UEFA Champions League during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected after the team’s defeat and elimination from the UEFA Champions League during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Arteta backed for summer spending spree as Arsenal seek European breakthrough

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is poised for a significant summer transfer window as he aims to make the Gunners genuine contenders for the Champions League. The club is ready to back him with funds to address key positions, including striker, left-back, and midfield.

Transfer targets and departures

Arteta ready to spend in bid for glory Yes, Gunners were naive and Pep’s boys wasteful but fixture jam played part in Champions League exits Daily Mail19 Apr 2024By SAMI MOKBEL Chief Football Reporter GETTY IMAGES Help us out: Kai Havertz and Arsenal struggle in Munich ARSENAL have identified three priority positions to strengthen as Mikel Arteta aims to break into Europe’s elite after their Champions League exit against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The club will provide significant funds to sign a striker, a left back and a midfielder this summer, while several players will leave to supplement the spending. There are already doubts over left back Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future. Arsenal’s striker targets include RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, of Sporting Lisbon, while they also admire Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Gunners are keen on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, while fringe players Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Thomas Partey could depart. The Premier League has had better weeks. A right old bruising in the Champions League. Won’t somebody think of the coefficient? There were wry smiles across the continent yesterday morning when the self-proclaimed Best League in the World saw its remaining Champions League hopes extinguished. There will be no english club in the semi-finals for the first time in four years. Bayern Munich are enduring their worst season in recent memory and gently eased Arsenal on to the hard shoulder. Real Madrid taunted Manchester City into a penalty shootout and, with their voodoo in this competition, prevailed as everybody inside the etihad Stadium expected them to once it came down to nerve and kicking stationary balls from 12 yards. They are smirking because of the money and if we’re really honest, it’s difficult to blame Spaniards, Germans, Italians or the French for that. The wealth and power wielded over here has crushed the other big- five leagues both commercially and on the pitch; english teams were represented in five of the past six finals, winning three. By contrast, this season’s effort has been middling at best. Newcastle came last in a strong group, Manchester United did what Manchester United do. City weren’t quite clever enough to break down a stubborn Real with the frequency required — and then missed presentable chances when they did — while Arsenal’s inexperience cost them. But after such a period of dominance, Wednesday night did leave you wondering whether english football’s ecosystem helps or hinders its elite sides. All but eight clubs in the country will say the former — especially given the announcement of significant changes to the FA Cup. The larger clubs in question will, without doubt, side with remarks made by Jose Mourinho to Mail Sport back in 2016. ‘The Premier League and the internal competitions create a very difficult situation for the clubs,’ Mourinho said. ‘Other countries care a lot about the Champions League. In this country the Premier League will always come in front. The institutions that lead the competitions make it very clear. ‘The institutions do not give you that little protection which can be crucial — 24 hours more, 48 hours more, to rest and prepare.’ While he divides opinion, at least three of the country’s leading managers are known to sympathise with what Mourinho had to say — and it still rings true now. As they were not in the Spanish Cup final, Real had the weekend off before the quarterfinal first leg against City, with Rodri — shortly before asking for a rest — admitting Carlo Ancelotti’s side began the tie far fresher. They have featured in eight matches since the start of March, City are on 10. Meanwhile, Arsenal had an extra game to contend with over the past six weeks compared to Bayern. IT doesn’t sound much. Then again, these games are not won by much. Guardiola attempted to mitigate the issues by resting half of his team, including Rodri, for the 5-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday and City bounded into that second leg with more energy. But they were out on their feet by extra time, with erling haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji all asking to come off. The level of injuries in this country is inescapable, increasing in a way that players and medical professionals had warned of in the summer. Guardiola has made 90 changes to his starting XI in the league, owing to fitness issues rather than design, while Arteta is a third fewer. For all of their electricity and excitement, Arsenal’s lack of variety in team selection — William Saliba has not missed a minute, Declan Rice featuring in 93.2 per cent of them — may have contributed to a dip in performance. Guardiola has rotated in a smarter fashion and the way he had managed the schedule until this point made you feel that they were in a position to repeat last season’s Treble. Then again, after watching walking football break out in extra time at the etihad on Wednesday night, perhaps last year was just a freak and no english team has the right to do such things. Article Name:Arteta ready to spend in bid for glory Publication:Daily Mail Author:By SAMI MOKBEL Chief Football Reporter Start Page:76 End Page:76
Daily Mail back page, Friday 19 April 2024

Arsenal‘s striker shortlist includes Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), and Alexander Isak (Newcastle).

They also have their eye on highly-rated Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Meanwhile, the potential departures of fringe players like Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Thomas Partey could provide additional transfer funds.

The Premier League’s unique challenge

An article in Friday’s Daily Mail also highlights a key debate: does the relentless schedule of the Premier League hinder English clubs’ Champions League ambitions?

While recent English dominance in the competition is undeniable, this season’s exits raise questions about the impact of fixture congestion and the lack of rest afforded to top English teams compared to their European rivals.

Mourinho’s comments revisited

Mokbel references Jose Mourinho‘s 2016 comments about the Premier League’s lack of support for clubs competing in Europe. This sentiment is echoed by some current managers, who argue that the domestic calendar makes it incredibly difficult to manage fatigue and maintain peak form across multiple competitions.

Arteta ready to spend in bid for glory Yes, Gunners were naive and Pep’s boys wasteful but fixture jam played part in Champions League exits Daily Mail19 Apr 2024By SAMI MOKBEL Chief Football Reporter GETTY IMAGES Help us out: Kai Havertz and Arsenal struggle in Munich ARSENAL have identified three priority positions to strengthen as Mikel Arteta aims to break into Europe’s elite after their Champions League exit against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The club will provide significant funds to sign a striker, a left back and a midfielder this summer, while several players will leave to supplement the spending. There are already doubts over left back Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future. Arsenal’s striker targets include RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, of Sporting Lisbon, while they also admire Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Gunners are keen on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, while fringe players Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Thomas Partey could depart. The Premier League has had better weeks. A right old bruising in the Champions League. Won’t somebody think of the coefficient? There were wry smiles across the continent yesterday morning when the self-proclaimed Best League in the World saw its remaining Champions League hopes extinguished. There will be no english club in the semi-finals for the first time in four years. Bayern Munich are enduring their worst season in recent memory and gently eased Arsenal on to the hard shoulder. Real Madrid taunted Manchester City into a penalty shootout and, with their voodoo in this competition, prevailed as everybody inside the etihad Stadium expected them to once it came down to nerve and kicking stationary balls from 12 yards. They are smirking because of the money and if we’re really honest, it’s difficult to blame Spaniards, Germans, Italians or the French for that. The wealth and power wielded over here has crushed the other big- five leagues both commercially and on the pitch; english teams were represented in five of the past six finals, winning three. By contrast, this season’s effort has been middling at best. Newcastle came last in a strong group, Manchester United did what Manchester United do. City weren’t quite clever enough to break down a stubborn Real with the frequency required — and then missed presentable chances when they did — while Arsenal’s inexperience cost them. But after such a period of dominance, Wednesday night did leave you wondering whether english football’s ecosystem helps or hinders its elite sides. All but eight clubs in the country will say the former — especially given the announcement of significant changes to the FA Cup. The larger clubs in question will, without doubt, side with remarks made by Jose Mourinho to Mail Sport back in 2016. ‘The Premier League and the internal competitions create a very difficult situation for the clubs,’ Mourinho said. ‘Other countries care a lot about the Champions League. In this country the Premier League will always come in front. The institutions that lead the competitions make it very clear. ‘The institutions do not give you that little protection which can be crucial — 24 hours more, 48 hours more, to rest and prepare.’ While he divides opinion, at least three of the country’s leading managers are known to sympathise with what Mourinho had to say — and it still rings true now. As they were not in the Spanish Cup final, Real had the weekend off before the quarterfinal first leg against City, with Rodri — shortly before asking for a rest — admitting Carlo Ancelotti’s side began the tie far fresher. They have featured in eight matches since the start of March, City are on 10. Meanwhile, Arsenal had an extra game to contend with over the past six weeks compared to Bayern. IT doesn’t sound much. Then again, these games are not won by much. Guardiola attempted to mitigate the issues by resting half of his team, including Rodri, for the 5-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday and City bounded into that second leg with more energy. But they were out on their feet by extra time, with erling haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Manuel Akanji all asking to come off. The level of injuries in this country is inescapable, increasing in a way that players and medical professionals had warned of in the summer. Guardiola has made 90 changes to his starting XI in the league, owing to fitness issues rather than design, while Arteta is a third fewer. For all of their electricity and excitement, Arsenal’s lack of variety in team selection — William Saliba has not missed a minute, Declan Rice featuring in 93.2 per cent of them — may have contributed to a dip in performance. Guardiola has rotated in a smarter fashion and the way he had managed the schedule until this point made you feel that they were in a position to repeat last season’s Treble. Then again, after watching walking football break out in extra time at the etihad on Wednesday night, perhaps last year was just a freak and no english team has the right to do such things. Article Name:Arteta ready to spend in bid for glory Publication:Daily Mail Author:By SAMI MOKBEL Chief Football Reporter Start Page:70 End Page:70
Daily Mail, Friday 19 April 2024

The injury factor

The increasing rate of injuries in English football is a growing concern. Arteta and Guardiola‘s contrasting approaches to squad rotation underscore the challenges of balancing Premier League demands with European aspirations. Arsenal‘s reliance on a core group of players has likely contributed to their recent dip in form, while City’s more cautious approach may have backfired when key players appeared exhausted in their crucial Champions League clash.

A balanced view

While the Premier League’s competitiveness and financial power are undeniable assets, a more balanced approach may be needed to ensure that English clubs maintain their edge on the European stage. Solutions could include adjustments to the domestic calendar, more strategic squad rotation, and a long-term focus on injury prevention.

Conclusion

Despite their Champions League exit, Arsenal‘s ambition and willingness to invest in the squad suggest they are determined to compete at the highest level. The club’s transfer strategy, combined with a potential re-evaluation of the Premier League’s impact on player fitness, could be crucial factors in determining whether Arteta can lead Arsenal to European glory.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news