Arsenal given transfer boost ahead of January with Andrea Berta ready to target two deals

The transfer window might be closed, but Arsenal is already looking ahead to the future. Sporting director Andrea Berta has claimed hero status from supporters after breaking records in spending during his first summer in his new role.

Eight signings secured and close to £300million committed to the project, with a hope of finally ending the near-six-year wait for a major trophy. Even prior to the Italian’s arrival, Arteta would go on record months ahead of either January or summer windows.

Speaking in December of 2020, Arteta said: "The planning is done, what we want to do in January and in the summer. Sometimes you can do it, sometimes not depending on a lot of factors.

"Edu is dealing with that at the moment and I'm focused with all the games, we don't have much time to spend energy now on that because it's very clear what we want to do."

This would be the case for several successive seasons but when Berta arrived Arteta had admitted that the Italian would tweak and improve existing ideas. Berta was appointed in March and would go on to have a very impressive summer indeed.

Shortly after Berta was appointed, Arteta said: "All the work that the recruitment — Jason [Ayto], James [Ellis] and all the boys — have been doing is prepared.

"That planning has to be tweaked because what you execute most of the time ends up being a bit different from the direction of the vision. And what we want to do is clear.

"He [will] jump on board with that and hopefully he [will] twist it and make it better. That's why he's here."

This, of course, means that despite having only just finished the summer's work, the upcoming January window will already be considered. Unlike last season, the club is in a different position to take advantage of the loan market.

January is often seen as a period when teams can respond to squad issues caused, primarily, by injuries. Last year, injuries were heavily prevalent in the winter months, with Bukayo Saka, at that time, out with a long-term hamstring injury.

Shortly after the window closed, Kai Havertz would also have to undergo surgery. The club did not act during their mid-season opportunity, and this came under heavy scrutiny.

They were restricted financially to some degree, with big summer plans. But more so, any hopes of loan moves for Premier League-level players were impossible.

The likes of Marcus Rashford, who joined Aston Villa on a temporary basis, could not be considered. The Gunners had already signed both Neto and Raheem Sterling on loan, filling the two-player quota that Premier League sides are allowed.

Having not signed any players on loan this summer, and of course, therefore, none from fellow top-tier English clubs, they have two slots open. Andrea Berta has the freedom, should Arsenal wish, to target some temporary additions in the winter window.

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