30 June 2023 , 12:17
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It's shaping up to be a busy transfer window for Arsenal.
The Gunners have already confirmed the signing of Kai Havertz, 24, from Chelsea in a £65million deal, while Declan Rice is on the verge of completing a £105m move from West Ham. The latter, also 24, could be unveiled as an Arsenal player in the coming days.
Arsenal are also close to agreeing a £40m transfer fee with Ajax for 22-year-old defender Jurrien Timber. If all those three deals are finalised, the Gunners will have spent more than £200m on fresh talent... and there is still two months to go in this transfer window.
All of those three players are young, but they also have a shared quality: versatility. Throughout Mikel Arteta's three-and-a-half years in charge of Arsenal, he's always looked to bring in footballers who are capable of playing in a number of positions.
Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Lenadro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all played in a variety of positions since being signed by Arteta. The Gunners boss wants plenty of options from the bench and cover, just in case an injury crisis unfolds.
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It's a trait Pep Guardiola wants to see in his players at Manchester City. The likes of Nathan Ake, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis often swapped roles throughout last season, helping Guardiola's side win the Treble.
Kai Havertz is Arsenal's latest versatile signing (Getty Images)What do you make of Arsenal's transfer business? Let us know in the comments below!
Arteta would've learnt from Guardiola during his time as Man City's assistant manager between June 2016 and December 2019. Arteta knows he needs strength in depth, not just a good starting XI. That is particularly true with the signings of Havertz and Timber.
While Rice will replace Bayer Leverkusen-bound Granit Xhaka in Arteta's starting XI, Havertz and Timber are expected to play supporting roles. Havertz can be deployed as a centre-forward, winger, attacking midfielder or even in a deeper role.
Timber can play at centre-back, full-back or in central midfield, as his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag argued in 2020. Ten Hag added: "He dares to speak out immediately and has not been shy in the dressing room. Those are important qualities to get far."
And what about Rice? The England international has already been converted from a centre-back into a defensive midfielder and appears to becoming more of a box-to-box star. His role at Arsenal will be clear, but that doesn't mean he's not an adaptable player.
Arteta often speaks about his desire for versatility when signing a new player. After Zinchenko's move from Man City a year ago, the Gunners boss said: "He can play in both [defence and midfield]. He was a natural No.10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back [at Man City], which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing.
"That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full-backs, so I'm really happy.
Jurrien Timber can play in several positions (Getty Images)"[Versatility] is one of the things and the way we can adapt structures, formations and rotations within the squad and playing with the same players in a different way. To be more unpredictable is obviously important and that is why we have recruited [versatile] players."
That word, "versatile", came up again when Arteta spoke to Marca about the Havertz deal. He said: "He is a talented, versatile player and only 24 years old. Talent has a price and, at Arsenal, we are always interested in young players with experience."
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Arteta knows exactly what he's looking for in a player. So, who else could Arsenal sign this summer? The club's co-chair Josh Kroenke promised they will be "aggressive" in the transfer market when opportunities arise during an interview two years ago.
Presuming Kroenke sticks to that promise, Arsenal fans can expect their team to continue spending. The Gunners have a greater transfer budget this season after ending their seven-year exile from the Champions League, and they can also attract better players.
Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, 22, was on Arsenal's transfer shortlist earlier this summer and so was Leicester right-back Timothy Castagne, 27. The latter fits into the versatile category, as he can play at left-back or on the right flank.
Arsenal may move on from both of those targets once they complete a deal for Timber. The most likeliest signing is that of Romeo Lavia, with the exciting teenage midfielder expected to leave Southampton after their relegation from the Premier League.
Lavia, 19, was a regular for the Saints last season - giving him that experience Arteta requires - and could be available for around £45m. He could replace Thomas Partey in Arsenal's midfield, with Juventus and clubs in Saudi Arabia after the Ghanaian's signature.
It remains to be seen whether Lavia will complete a move to the Emirates, but one thing is for sure: Arsenal's transfer business isn't done. Expect Arteta to keep on splashing the cash, especially on emerging stars who can play in multiple positions.