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Arsenal’s deadline for Thomas Partey capped a successful transfer window for the Gunners, who are looking to return to Champions League football after four seasons away.
Partey joins newcomers Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes, while Danie Ceballos has arrived for a second loan period and new deals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Sako have added to the wellness factor surrounding the club.
Mikel Arteta expects Arsenal’s transfer business this summer to provide him with greater roster depth and tactical flexibility during the 2020-21 season.
A key example of that is on defense, with Arteta preferring to play a back-three during Arsenal’s run to FA Cup glory last season.
Gabriel Magalhaes – In profile
The £ 25 million signing of Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes will provide competition for fellow left-hander Pablo Mari, while in the long run he looks like an ideal partner for right-hander William Saliba.
However, Saliba has gotten off to a slow start to life in North London, so instead Arsenal could line up on three defenders from Gabriel, David Luiz and Tierney, but Arteta can go for a pair of Gabriel and Luiz in the future.
The Spaniard is believed to be interested in playing a long-term 4-3-3 formation, with Tierney and Héctor Beller on both sides.
Bernd Leno has returned in goal, reestablishing himself as Arteta’s number one with Emi Martinez joining Aston Villa.
In midfield, Arsenal will rely on Ceballos, who has returned for a second loan after forming a good partnership with Granit Xhaka last season.
Partey will enter midfield after Arsenal activated its 50 million euro (45 million pound) buyout clause, with Ceballos and Xhaka as potential partners.
Before that, if Arteta goes for four on defense, we could see a new attack this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can start on the left and Willian on the right, with Lacazette still in the lead. The Frenchman attracted the interest of Juventus, but there were no concrete offers for him.
(4-3-3): Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Partey, Xhaka; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
