Unai Emery has been busy stamping his mark on the Arsenal squad this summer, as reports claim that he could be set to land his fourth signing ahead of the new season.
The Spanish tactician is gearing up for his first year in charge at the Emirates, with the Gunners needing to show an immediate improvement after missing out on Champions League football the past two seasons.
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Veteran right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner became his first Arsenal signing as per BBC Sport, while Sky Sports note that he also snapped up goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
With the defence evidently a priority, former Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos became the third new arrival at Arsenal this summer, as reported by The Guardian, with Emery needing to shore things up at the back after his side had the worst defensive record of the top seven sides in the Premier League last year.
Perhaps with that area of the squad now addressed, the former Paris Saint-Germain boss may start to look at other departments to bolster his options and ensure that his side are ready to compete on various fronts next season having booked their return to the Europa League.
According to Sky Sports, Lorient starlet Matteo Guendouzi could now become the next signing for Arsenal this summer, with the report claiming that he’s in talks and that the Premier League giants are ‘closing in’ on a deal. Further, The Mirror report that he could cost around £7m.
Still only 19 years of age, Guendouzi can operate as a defensive midfielder with the Gunners arguably still lacking a little steel and defensive solidity in front of the backline, and he’s been busy gaining experience having made 21 appearances in all competitions last season.
Given his age and lack of experience at the highest level though, it’s surely unlikely that Emery will see him as an immediate solution, and so it remains to be seen if he’s merely drafted in to act as cover and a long-term option at the club if a deal is indeed reached for his transfer.