Arsenal had ‘concerns’ about £32m signing in the summer but Mikel Arteta pushed through a deal anyway

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Now their campaign is faltering under Mikel Arteta, a lot of Arsenal fans are now taking aim at last summer’s transfer window. 

It was Edu Gaspar’s last while in charge of the club, and Arsenal spent around £100m on new players, also recouping a similar amount from player sales.

A chunk of the club’s expenditure was on David Raya given that his loan move was then made permanent by a clause included in his initial loan deal.

Otherwise, Arsenal parted with significant funds to sign Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, two robust internationals who shone at the Euros, and were intended to improve the squad depth available to Arteta.

Neto and Raheem Sterling were also signed on deadline day, however both only arrived on loan without an obligation to buy.

Mikel Arteta ignored doubts about signing Mikel Merino

Interestingly, in a report shared by The Athletic, it’s now coming to light that some at Arsenal actually had ‘concerns’ about buying Merino in particular.

Arsenal fans have criticised Merino this season, especially following his recent efforts for the club, a midfielder who is accused of being slow on the ball and a yard behind his teammates.

READ MORE: David Ornstein shares what he’s been told about Arsenal signing Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus

And whilst Merino deserves much more time to prove his quality, his acquisition was already one that Arteta has somewhat had to defend internally.

According to the report, Arteta wanted the Spain international because of his doubts about both Kai Havertz and Declan Rice as the club’s left-sided number eight.

However, Arsenal ‘debated the merits’ of signing Merino.

The club were concerned about his age and the prospect of making any return in their investment in the 28-year-old.

However, Arteta’s belief in Merino ‘drove through’ explaining why a deal was executed to sign the midfielder from Real Sociedad for £32m.

Arsenal still targeting more midfield additions

Of course, following the news that Arsenal are winning the race for Martin Zubimendi, it’s interesting to read that Arteta has doubts about Rice as a number eight.

Many will imagine that Zubimendi will come in to play as Arteta’s number six, freeing up Rice to play in a more offensive role to utilise his running.

Rice isn’t world-class at receiving the ball on the turn as a six, but he does excel in a lot of the qualities required for someone playing one step further forward.

It surely has to be imagined that Arteta is envisioning a strongest trio of Zubimendi, Rice and Odegaard.

And perhaps that will just leave Merino playing a squad role, and should Arsenal also recruit a world-class striker next summer, there also isn’t necessarily a starting spot for Havertz, either.