Edu Gaspar plots successful transfer raid for Arsenal priority to continue Mikel Arteta trend

Arsenal's recruitment focus since Mikel Arteta took over at the club has been on strengthening the right areas of the squad with efficient scouting and clever negotiating.

The process officially started in 2020 when Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes signed. Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale arrived in 2021 before Manchester City allowed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to join.

Leandro Trossard and Jorginho arrived in January 2022 after preferred, more expensive targets moved elsewhere. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, David Raya and Jurrien Timber completed a successful 2023, and this summer saw Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling all signed.

Eight of the starting 11 from Sunday's thriller with Man City have all been signed by Edu Gaspar and Arteta. Three of the four substitutions who came on were also recruited under the Spaniard duo, with Myles Lewis-Skelly promoted from the academy under Arteta's reign.

Unlike many of the Gunners' rivals, there are no question marks from the fanbase when Arsenal are linked with players. The rumour mill has fallen somewhat quiet since the transfer window closed, but the process is expected to be underway regarding the new key signing.

Sterling's loan move from Chelsea has added much-needed depth behind Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinell in the wide places. However, when his loan ends, the north Londoners will be short, so that area will be a priority once again.

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And according to reports in Spain, Edu and Arteta are plotting another raid on their home nation with Villarreal star Yeremy Pino. The 21-year-old has already played 139 games for the La Liga side, scoring 18 and assisting 13.

Pino has previously been on Chelsea and Real Madrid's radar, but he has remained at the Ceramics Stadium. Fichajes have claimed the Gunners have shown a strong interest in the Spain international.

Arsenal raided Real Sociedad in the summer for Merino and have shown an interest in Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi. With Pino, it seems as though the Spanish market is becoming a more common market for the club.