Andrea Berta Arsenal transfer priority now clear as £195m masterplan takes place

It may not have felt like it at points this summer but Arsenal have had a relatively efficient transfer window so far. They have addressed key positions without spending outrageous sums of money.

A backup goalkeeper was signed for £5million. Kepa Arrizabalaga offers experience and a track record of supporting those in successful teams.

Andrea Berta ensured that the work done over the winter for Martin Zubimendi did not go to waste as he finalised the deal after Jason Ayto's initial push. That bolstered things in midfield with Jorginho and Thomas Partey going on to leave at the end of their contracts.

Although there were serious questions over the price and effort spent on Noni Madueke - especially when a new striker had not been brought in at the time - Arsenal got an improving 23-year-old able to play on both sides for an initial fee of less than £50million. Then progress was made to narrow down Viktor Gyokeres as the main centre forward target.

It always promised to be the toughest spot to strengthen, no matter how many names were on the market. Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak were going to cost more but might have been a better tactical fit. The money, age, and ready-made quality of Gyokeres left him to be the standout candidate.

The split between Sesko and Gyokeres was an ongoing conversation for months before a deal was landed but Arsenal believe it will be worthwhile, even if it has eaten in the pre-season preparations. What this all leaves is almost all incoming business being completed by the start of August, the final month of the window.

Cristhian Mosquera joined to add depth in defence and the remaining attacking target appears to have turned entirely towards Eberechi Eze. The focus for Berta and his recruitment team in the last few weeks of a long and exhausting summer is now perfectly clear.

On the incoming side it is Eze, Eze, and Eze. Beyond that, sales have to be considered. Oleksandr Zinchenko has no place in the squad with Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all ahead of him at left-back.

The Ukrainian has long been expected to depart but nothing has come to fruition yet. The same is true for Reiss Nelson. He has had a promising time in Asia but is not likely to turn that into a first team role.

Any money Arsenal can recoup from these two will strengthen their financial position moving forward and may partially offset the signing of Eze. They have committed to spending £195million on players and are yet to seriously make any of that back.

Jakub Kiwior has had interest from Serie A previously and now faces a challenge from Mosquera which could leave his future to be uncertain. The other place to look out for is potential bids for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Both have had speculation and links away from the Emirates Stadium. The arrival of Madueke and maybe another versatile forward will only enhance the slight possibility that one of them moves on. They are valuable to Arsenal but not necessarily indispensable.

Having one incoming and only a matter of exits to close out is a good position for Arsenal to be in at this stage. It has not always seemed like they were moving quickly enough but they have put themselves into a position of strength. Now it is Berta's job to make the most of everything done to date in order to maximise the hopeful benefits.

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