Grading Arsenal's 2023 Transfer Window

Success Overshadowed by Key Injury

We have been waiting for a long time to see this club make significant moves in the transfer market. To be fair to the people running it, they have capitalized on the last six transfer windows positively.

This was another successful transfer window. Edu worked behind the scenes to bring four new arrivals at the club. Each will be a critical joint in the team’s skeleton. Attack, Middle, Fullback. Goalkeeper. All leveled up. Depth feels significantly improved after this window.

Let’s summarize the incomings. The first new face is Kai Havertz, who arrived from Chelsea in July. Ajax defender Jurrien Timber joined next followed by West Ham’s Declan Rice. Arsenal did not shy away from making sure they pay whatever it takes to get Declan over to the Emirates. David Raya was the final addition this summer. The Spanish will spend the season on loan from Brentford.

The incoming business was A+ but unfortunately it feels more like an A because one of the new arrivals suffered a season-ending injury at the opener. Jurrien Timber will feel more like a new signing in August ‘24 (or January but that’s wishful thinking, innit).

Always A Gooner: Permanant Moves Away

After seven seasons, Granit Xhaka moved to Bayer Leverkusen. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, another long servant, also departed the club after his contract expired. The club was unable to monetize on AMN although they tried the loan to sell strategy. It worked out differently in this case since Southampton, where he spent last season, was relegated.

The Academy and loan to sell worked very well however when Folarin Balogun moved to Monaco. Great to see for the long-term success of the club. Auston Trusty signed for Sheffield United and Matt Turner headed to Nottingham Forest.

Rob Holding signed for Crystal Palace, he made 162 appearances under seven full seasons. It feels like he is the last guard of the Wenger era. Pablo Mari also joined the Serie A side Monza permanently.

Young gooners were shuffled a lot. Five of the youth moved on from the club following releases or small feeds.

The sell side gets a B because transfers felt undervalued. Plus, CEDRIC (unbelievable) remains on the squad. And no one knows where to find Pepe.

Loan Side, Strong Side

It’s almost like someone went to the Arsenal board, pulled up a negotiation scene in FIFA and said, “Check this out, you can loan before selling a player.”

Light bulb, Kieran Tierney will spend the season at Real Sociedad. While Marquinhos headed to Ligue 1 side Nantes in France. Hope he does well. Marquinhos has left a good impression when featured. He seems to have high potential, and a baller mentality. Plus, he’s a lefty. Maybe, they see him as competition for Saka in the near future and that’s what keeps them from strengthening that position’s depth at this time.

Nuno Tavares will remain in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest. Alex Runarsson will be between the posts for Cardiff City… what a signing that was btw.

Swansea City get Charlie Patino. Brooke Norton-Cuffy links up with Millwall. And five more young gooners go on loans to develop their craft.

This part of the club’s operation was A+