Summer Transfers 2025 Missed Opportunities and Regrets

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Because having Eze would give us another dynamic and strengthen the squad.
We haven't actually strengthened much - we have instead been replacing (5 players out, 6 players in - 1 up from last seasons short squad)
I would say it's more a necessity rather than luxury

For weeks now, the talk was that we needed a LW and Eze to help bolster the attack. That was even after Madueke came in.
That would make us serious contenders, but as usual, as we get near to doing what is necessary we pull back a bit and do just enough to be there or there abouts.

I hate to admit it, but Odegaard's creativity looks like it has dried up and someone like Eze is clearly needed. Nwaneri is not there yet to be the replacement, he still has some naivety about him at times.

We should get the players in we need and then worry about selling the ones we don't after.
Eze could have been signed by now - after that I don't mind them working on the outgoings for the rest of the window.

great post and 100% agree, especially regarding getting what you need now and then waiting for clubs that have foolish transfer tsars like Arsenal to come and take the likes of Madueke, Nunez and Hojlund off your hands for good money.

Its called a transfer market for a reason, players are up for a public sale and the first serious bidder takes them away. Its extremely foolish and a dereliction of duty to expect professional players to keep acting like Gyokores, Mosquera and Isak, and continually do the dirty work for you. This was the same mistake we made with Rice (remember Citeh came late in the game to outbid us) and more lately Sesko last year, when we should have got him then and likely saved our season.

I wish Eze the best in whatever decision he makes.

[IBK]

A lot of fans are angered by this (probably because it’s Spurs) but personally I see Eze as a bit of a luxury signing because although he’s quality I don’t know exactly where he’d fit in for us realistically. Squad depth would be brilliant but you don’t buy a player like Eze as a rotation option. At Spurs he goes straight into their starting 11 no questions asked so I can see the appeal of that for the player. Plus there has to be a show of faith for Nwaneri and even Madueke to a degree who can perform similar roles to Eze.

Also, we simply have to get players out the door and my guess is that a lot probably won’t go until closer to the deadline.

I tend to agree with this. I would love Eze but he has to be regarded as a luxury and an out and out LW is probably more of a priority for us. We can lament our failure to sell players but (maybe Trossard aside) the players that are available to buy from Arsenal are going to be regarded as fairly average, and (the best of the best excepted), this is definitely a buyers' market. We are suffering from the fact that the likes of Zinchenko and Vieira have been frozen out and not only do potential suiters know they are surplus to our requirements but their reputations have suffered. Plus we pay relatively high wages.

I think the truth is that Arsenal are still suffering in the sale market from our years of under-performance. During this time we have developed younger players whom we want to keep, but not until recently have we bought players with a view to maximising their value and selling them on...or those who fit into this category (Vieira; Lokonga; Nelson) have not for whatever reason reached the heights required for any kind of bidding war...and remain 'sale at any price' players. I don't really blame anyone for this. We want the manager to play squad players but also demand the highest performances; we cannot sell when there is insufficient demand - no matter who is director of football. And we have not reached a point where the club's status invites buyers to think they are signing potential superstars....

[HCZ_Reborn]

I tend to agree with this. I would love Eze but he has to be regarded as a luxury and an out and out LW is probably more of a priority for us. We can lament our failure to sell players but (maybe Trossard aside) the players that are available to buy from Arsenal are going to be regarded as fairly average, and (the best of the best excepted), this is definitely a buyers' market. We are suffering from the fact that the likes of Zinchenko and Vieira have been frozen out and not only do potential suiters know they are surplus to our requirements but their reputations have suffered. Plus we pay relatively high wages.

I think the truth is that Arsenal are still suffering in the sale market from our years of under-performance. During this time we have developed younger players whom we want to keep, but not until recently have we bought players with a view to maximising their value and selling them on...or those who fit into this category (Vieira; Lokonga; Nelson) have not for whatever reason reached the heights required for any kind of bidding war...and remain 'sale at any price' players. I don't really blame anyone for this. We want the manager to play squad players but also demand the highest performances; we cannot sell when there is insufficient demand - no matter who is director of football. And we have not reached a point where the club's status invites buyers to think they are signing potential superstars....

[Mac76]

I tend to agree with this. I would love Eze but he has to be regarded as a luxury and an out and out LW is probably more of a priority for us. We can lament our failure to sell players but (maybe Trossard aside) the players that are available to buy from Arsenal are going to be regarded as fairly average, and (the best of the best excepted), this is definitely a buyers' market. We are suffering from the fact that the likes of Zinchenko and Vieira have been frozen out and not only do potential suiters know they are surplus to our requirements but their reputations have suffered. Plus we pay relatively high wages.

I think the truth is that Arsenal are still suffering in the sale market from our years of under-performance. During this time we have developed younger players whom we want to keep, but not until recently have we bought players with a view to maximising their value and selling them on...or those who fit into this category (Vieira; Lokonga; Nelson) have not for whatever reason reached the heights required for any kind of bidding war...and remain 'sale at any price' players. I don't really blame anyone for this. We want the manager to play squad players but also demand the highest performances; we cannot sell when there is insufficient demand - no matter who is director of football. And we have not reached a point where the club's status invites buyers to think they are signing potential superstars....

It makes me laugh when I hear people on podcasts etc gping on about how much data is available to the clubs and they see so much we don't so they know best etc, if true then with signings like the ones you mention, Arteta, Edu etc have done an even worse job than we thought

That said a lot of the data is bullshit IMO. Data can even make Zin look good ffs - I rest my case

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

It clearly doesn’t work like that, Liverpool have had to raise considerable cash to make their bid for Isak workable

The difference is they’ve sold off players that were constant parts of their first team squad, we are mainly trying to sell those who are on the periphery

I think that's a very fair point. It's almost as if this year is the first year you can say it's Slot's team given the changes. Obviously certain changes have been enforced; Trent going was nailed on this time last year, Diaz wanted to go and that was rumoured... a death. It has meant we have had to change so much. But it's not as of we went into last season as favourites or even in the question (I naturally don't think we were are as bad as you say) hence we are favourites this year, I think small margins will determine this year between us, you and City (as shit as they were....they finished 3rd).

Salah will naturally drop off, he had an historic season but we are quite clearly trying to pivot away from being utterly dependent on him but if we can balance that and take the burden away from him whilst still having options then we have a frightening attack.

[KSE Comedy Club]

It clearly doesn’t work like that, Liverpool have had to raise considerable cash to make their bid for Isak workable

The difference is they’ve sold off players that were constant parts of their first team squad, we are mainly trying to sell those who are on the periphery

That's a fair point re: Liverpool, but it still doesn't change the fact that whilst we appear to have made a lot of transfers, they are mainly to replace 1st team players that have left.

We haven't really strengthened the squad that was already short from last season.

[Marc Overmars]

That's a fair point re: Liverpool, but it still doesn't change the fact that whilst we appear to have made a lot of transfers, they are mainly to replace 1st team players that have left.

We haven't really strengthened the squad that was already short from last season.

I’m not sure I buy how thin our squad is made out to be. Injuries decimated the squad last season to the point where even the back up options were crocked.

I know injuries can happen but you can’t stockpile players for a rainy day either. Well you can if you’re Chelsea but that’s not how we’ve ever operated. Could we do with more? Sure but getting top players to sign on the basis of being rotation options is not easy either.

[IBK]

I’m not sure I buy how thin our squad is made out to be. Injuries decimated the squad last season to the point where even the back up options were crocked.

I know injuries can happen but you can’t stockpile players for a rainy day either. Well you can if you’re Chelsea but that’s not how we’ve ever operated. Could we do with more? Sure but getting top players to sign on the basis of being rotation options is not easy either.

The fear is that we have pivoted to trying to address our availability issues of last season rather than (Gyok and Zubi aside) raising the ceiling. We are a good team, and in isolation our Summer strategy might be expected to allow us to make that final push. The problem is that we are aiming for a moving target, and all our competitors are strengthening significantly. Lack of sales (and lack of prime candidates to bring in proper revenue) is limiting us PSR wise - particularly in terms of trying to land an Eze or Rodrygo who would properly move the needle for us (we should remember that even Zubi is a replacement). I'm not really criticising the club, the reality is that we are not competing on a level playing field. But the harsh truth is that transfer wise we are also rans when it comes to the clubs we need to out perform for the title...and the smart money is on us falling short again, alas...

[Marc Overmars]

The fear is that we have pivoted to trying to address our availability issues of last season rather than (Gyok and Zubi aside) raising the ceiling. We are a good team, and in isolation our Summer strategy might be expected to allow us to make that final push. The problem is that we are aiming for a moving target, and all our competitors are strengthening significantly. Lack of sales (and lack of prime candidates to bring in proper revenue) is limiting us PSR wise - particularly in terms of trying to land an Eze or Rodrygo who would properly move the needle for us (we should remember that even Zubi is a replacement). I'm not really criticising the club, the reality is that we are not competing on a level playing field. But the harsh truth is that transfer wise we are also rans when it comes to the clubs we need to out perform for the title...and the smart money is on us falling short again, alas...

To be honest I think Arteta will be the main reason we fall short anyway, even if we were to sign a needle mover like Eze.

Time will tell but I’ve already said I have a feeling this could be his last year. I don’t believe he gets away with this kind of backing and falling well short again. I hope I am laughably wrong but that’s just how I feel about us right now. Think our window of opportunity to succeed is smaller than it was 2 years ago.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

To be honest I think Arteta will be the main reason we fall short anyway, even if we were to sign a needle mover like Eze.

Time will tell but I’ve already said I have a feeling this could be his last year. I don’t believe he gets away with this kind of backing and falling well short again. I hope I am laughably wrong but that’s just how I feel about us right now. Think our window of opportunity to succeed is smaller than it was 2 years ago.

I think you guys are on to something by pointing how difficult it will be to win the league this year compared to the recent past.

It's been a few years since one could actually say it genuinely looks like 3 or 4 teams could win the league. I mean when I look at our traditional rivals they all look considerably beefed up, except for the Spuds, but I like their coach and we lost to them already so they could still provide some surprises.

What I think is that though this might end up being the most competitive year for the league, it could still work in our favour especially if it means no team is able to go on consistent runs like Citeh need to do win a trophy. Liverpool have proved adept in mini runs and I think we can copy that a bit and beat them to it, especially now that we have a striker to hopefully hasten and shorten our recovery period.

Our team is pretty ok. Mosquera is a gem of a signing and I think our defence is still far above everyone elses. Our midfield is currently average but manageable. Partey will be a big miss with his class but if Zubi and Rice can stay fit and we can add Eze, we should be ok.

As for our attack, it's all about Gyokores and Saka and hoping that both stay fit for most of the campaign. I don't think Odegaard is going to pull trees and I do think we've seen the best of him under this manager, which is another reason we need the option that Eze provides.

As much as I deride Havertz, I think this season will probably be his best for contributions per minute coming on as an impact sub which suits him especially with his new physique. Nwaneri, if used properly, will also be quite important in goal contributions.


In short it's going to be a long and difficult season, and probably the hardest to win since our first attempt when Citeh were at their imperial best. However I think bar brawls suits us more than classic duels, the pressure is less and hopefully the media& refs won't only have us to focus on and sabotage early on as usual.