Following Arsenal’s collapse at the end of the previous campaign, which prevented them from winning the Premier League championship they have long coveted since their last triumph in 2003/04, Mikel Arteta made waves in the transfer window in an effort to strengthen his team.
These three players will undoubtedly improve their starting XI, there is no doubt about that. Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber have already joined from Chelsea and Ajax, respectively, while a deal to capture West Ham United superstar Declan Rice has already been completed.
However, has the Spanish man conducted all of his business? There are still a few weeks until the new season begins, so he will be looking to add one or two more players to the Arsenal as they start their rise to glory.
Ivan Fresneda, a defender, is one player who might consider moving to the Emirates as the club is ready to rekindle its interest in the young player in anticipation of a future deal.
The 18-year-old was first connected to Arsenal during the January transfer window, but Fabrizio Romano snuffed out any thoughts of a transfer by saying he would stay with Real Valladolid until the summer.
However, Mundo Deportivo reports that the Emirates team is attempting to negotiate a deal for the right-back during this transfer window, with his release clause now only worth €20 million (£17 million) as a result of the Spanish team’s relegation from La Liga.
This may provide Arteta with the ideal incentive to transfer now that only £17 million is needed, and he may be another young talent who could help Arsenal for years to come.
Ivan Fresneda’s skill level.
The defender has already made 26 professional games for Real Valladolid, 22 of which were in La Liga, demonstrating that he is unquestionably prepared for playing for the first team at the top level.
In his breakout season of 2022–2023, he sparkled, producing three huge opportunities, averaging 0.8 critical passes per game, and succeeding with 0.7 dribbles per game, showing that he showed off his attacking skills by moving forward as much as possible.
While playing against Real Madrid, the Spaniard silenced forward Vinicius Junior, prompting one well-known scout to claim that Fresneda “pocketed Vin Jr” during the match. He also won 53% of his total duels, made 2.2 tackles per game, and cleared two balls.
The fact that he plays in a way that makes even the strongest attacking abilities obsolete shows that he is unfazed by competing against elite teams or players.
The 6 foot wonder received even more acclaim from La Liga podcaster Matt Clark, who commended him for being “remarkably complete” and hailed him as one of the “revelations of the season” for his performances in the previous campaign.
This is undoubtedly all Arteta needs to know about the player, and since Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely to be interested in him next season if he keeps up his great achievements, this is the ideal time to act.
Although the adolescent may not have an immediate impact, his enormous potential suggests that he could become a future star.
