Arsenal Secure First Summer Signing with Four-Year Deal Amid Injury Crisis
Arsenal have reportedly sealed a four-year agreement for their first signing of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners battled to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Leicester City at the weekend, with Mikel Merino stepping up with two late goals off the bench to secure a crucial three points. Due to a mounting injury crisis, the Basque midfielder was deployed as an emergency forward, showcasing his versatility.
Arsenal’s squad has been hit hard by injuries, with Kai Havertz ruled out for the season following hamstring surgery and Bukayo Saka only just returning to training after a similar setback. Gabriel Jesus is also sidelined for the remainder of the campaign due to an ACL injury.
Despite opting against signing a new forward in the January transfer window, Arsenal are now actively preparing for summer reinforcements. The squad is already stretched thin, and further departures could leave Mikel Arteta with even fewer options heading into the next campaign.
Fans were particularly impressed with a young defender’s vital clearance during the Leicester match, with Arteta himself praising the moment as "amazing" and game-changing.
As Arsenal move forward with their summer plans, securing new signings will be crucial in maintaining their competitiveness across all competitions.
Arsenal Reportedly Reach Advanced Stage in Martin Zubimendi Transfer Talks
Arsenal have taken significant steps toward securing Martin Zubimendi as part of their summer plans, though a deal is not yet finalized.
Following their 2-0 win over Leicester City, Mikel Arteta praised a game-changing moment in the match, admitting he wasn’t sure whether a crucial touch had altered the play until reviewing it in the dressing room.
Meanwhile, reports from TEAMtalk suggest that Arsenal have “agreed” a four-year contract with Zubimendi, who is currently ranked among the world’s top defensive midfielders by FourFourTwo. The Mail’s Sami Mokbel previously reported that a transfer was “virtually complete,” with Arsenal beating Liverpool and Manchester City to the Spaniard’s signature.
However, despite the Gunners’ efforts to double Zubimendi’s wages, the move is not yet sealed. The Athletic has hinted at growing interest from Real Madrid, which could complicate Arsenal’s pursuit. Zubimendi, while intrigued by the project, remains cautious about committing to the North London club.
Barcelona and Liverpool have also shown long-term interest in the midfielder, with the latter refraining from signing an alternative after missing out on him last summer.
With the summer transfer window approaching, Arsenal may need to act swiftly to secure Zubimendi’s €60 million signature, especially with European giants monitoring his situation. The Gunners return to action next weekend against West Ham United as the Premier League resumes.