Player focus: How have Arsenal’s summer signings fared so far?
Arsenal fans can be pleased with the current state of the club (in terms of the Premier League standings). Eight games played and into the international break, only the duo of Liverpool and Manchester City are above the Gunners. While the Gunners spent a good amount to change the fortunes of the club, it’s time to see just how well the summer signings have integrated into the side. Arsenal were one of the busiest clubs this transfer window, signing a number of players, including Nicolas Pepe for a record fee of £72m. William Saliba was also signed from Saint-Etienne, but was loaned back to the French club, so he won’t appear on the list.
Let’s take a look at how the Gunners’ five summer signings have fared so far this season – and if you feel these signings could lead to Europa League success this season, make the most of this offer and get the very best odds online.
Dani Ceballos
The 23-year-old has made a decent start to life in London since his loan move to the club. Despite having the best of debuts and a display of brilliance on couple occasions, there is still room for much better from the Spaniard
Sure, he’s good on the ball and has good technical ability, but he’s done nothing “spectacular” with it. At least not on a consistent level. He also came from Real Madrid in order to gain some first-team experience, but he’s failed to nail down a concrete spot in the Arsenal starting XI as of yet.
He will still have to adapt to the pace of the Premier League and it may be that his very best form does not emerge until the final months of what could be a one-and-done season with Arsenal. Even if that is the case this will go down as a very good bit of business by Arsenal.
Gabriel Martinelli
It’s fair to say Arsenal fans didn’t expect the 18-year-old to be this good when he signed for the London club this summer. What an outstanding addition Arsenal’s first signing of the window has proven to be.
Hopes were always high for Martinelli in the long-term but few expected such an immediate impact from a player who at the start of this year was playing in the fourth tier of Brazilian football. Two starts have brought with them four goals (Transfermarkt) and no little surprise from Unai Emery, who still insists that Martinelli is more effective as a left-winger than as a centre forward.
His clinical finishing has been a joy to behold, and his all-round play has been brilliant as well. He looks a great prospect, and Arsenal fans will be hoping to see more of him now in the Premier League.
David Luiz
There’s a reason Frank Lampard had no problem with shifting him to Chelsea’s London rivals. David Luiz is as erratic as they come and has showcased that since signing for Arsenal.
His performance against Watford was abysmal, yet that wasn’t even the worst of the bunch. He was thrown all over by the Liverpool front line at Anfield and has done little to shore up the Gunners’ defence.
A goal and clean sheet at home to Bournemouth has been his highlight in an Arsenal shirt but even for the £8m he was signed for, he has a long way to go to back up that small price tag.
Kieran Tierney
Tierney has seriously struggled with injuries since signing for Arsenal from Celtic, but he is on the verge of finally starting in the Premier League after making a couple of appearances in the Europa League and League Cup.
The flying left-back has looked very, very good when he has taken to the field this season, and looks to be the Gunners’ answer to Andy Robertson. Arsenal have been looking for a left-back who can cross a ball for years, and they may have found their man.
He has demonstrated the huge quality he has, albeit not at Premier League level. But if he continues in that vein, Arsenal will have a top-class player at their disposal.
Once the international break is over it seems certain Tierney will be Arsenal’s starting left-back. It is a role the club will be hoping he thrives in for many years to come.
Nicolas Pepe
Being the club’s record-signing, Arsenal fans would have been expecting a little more from their record signing. But Pepe has been majorly underwhelming.
He showed flashes of brilliance against Liverpool but that’s all it’s been so far and time is running out before he’s ultimately labelled a “waste” of a signing.
His one goal came from the penalty spot on against Aston Villa but generally his end product has been appalling. His performance against Manchester United was nothing short of poor for someone of his reputation.
However, he has shown glimpses of what he has to offer, with some direct running and gliding past players with ease. If he can find some confidence and make some better decisions in the final third, then he may become the player Arsenal fans thought he would be.
