Transfer verdict, Nwaneri departure, and more: Everything that could happen at Arsenal this week
Arsenal have less than 48 hours to complete the remainder of their transfer business.
The Gunners have endured a somewhat frustrating window, despite making some excellent acquisitions. While they've added the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis to their ranks, they've also failed in pursuits of Vinicius Junior, Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers.
Reports suggest that they're still on the hunt for a superstar attacker, but time is running out. Julian Alvarez is seemingly content with remaining in Madrid for a while longer despite severing relations with Atleti, although a dramatic late twist in this saga isn't off the table.
By Wednesday, Mikel Arteta will know exactly who is in the group of players he'll be working with until January at least. By Sunday, he'll know how his squad will take shape for the rest of the season, when his team entertain Chelsea at the Emirates.
With that said, here's a look at everything that might happen at Arsenal over the course of this week.
In the absence of a match over the last seven days, Arsenal discourse has been dominated by debates around their pursuit of a forward. Many believe the Gunners should keep their powder dry and go for a superstar when one becomes available in a later window, rather than forcing a siging right now, while others think another forward addition is a neccessity.
Either way, Arsenal supporters will definitively discover the outcome of this saga this week.
They could yet emerge with Alvarez on their books. The ball is in the Argentine's court. If he decides he wants to play for a club competing for major honours for the next few years before potentially eventually getting his dream move to the Nou Camp, then he'll end up at Arsenal. If he's satisfied with playing in a hostile environment for a team with no real Champions League aspirations, then he'll stay put.
Ultimately, he could be holding out until the last minute for a Barcelona switch, before he eventually accepts North London is his only way out of the Spanish capital.
If it isn't meant to be, then Arsenal could yet turn elsewhere. Iliman Ndiaye, who might now be Tottenham-bound, and Kevin Schade have been loosely linked.
Alternatively, Arsenal do nothing and make do with what they have. This would be a reasonable approach to take given the state of the market.
Moves for those on the periphery of Arteta's squad finally look to be coming to fruition. Gabriel Martinelli will join Al-Hilal for a club-record outgoing fee of €70 million (£60 million), Gabriel Jesus will sign for Barcelona for around €10 million (£8.6 million), and Fabio Vieira will complete his permanent move to Hamburg for a similar fee to the Brazilian striker.
These departures were always somewhat expected, particularly after all three players were left out of the first few matchday squads of the season. The one that's always been in the balance is Ethan Nwaneri.
There have been reports suggesting that all three potential outcomes are on the table. Some sources suggest that Nwaneri will be sold permanently, others indicate Arsenal would rather let him leave temporarily, while others still maintain that Arteta wants to give him a chance this season.
We'll find out very soon what is going to happen with the youngster.
Away from transfers, Arsenal play two matches this week. First, Aston Villa await at Villa Park on Monday night, before Xabi Alonso's Chelsea travel to North London to take on Arteta's men at the Emirates.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of these games for Gunners fans is that they'll most likely be able to see new signing Ezri Konsa in action in a red and white shirt for the first time. He'll either make his debut at his former stomping ground on Monday, or Arteta will withold him from this intense atmosphere and keep him saved for the clash with Chelsea at the weekend.
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