Mikel Merino is Arsenal’s sole midfield signing during the 2024 summer transfer window, joining from Real Sociedad in the final week. However, his debut will need to wait as he is receiving treatment for a shoulder injury which might take up to two months to recover.
The Gunners had been linked with Adrien Rabiot’s acquisition as a free agent earlier in the summer and while the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United were also said to be keen with him at one point, the Frenchman still remains without a club following Deadline Day.
We take a look at why Mikel Arteta’s outfit will be bolstered by Rabiot’s purchase sooner rather than later.
Experience of the essence in a relatively young squad
Arsenal have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League and their lack of experience has arguably led to them falling short against Manchester City in the last couple of years.
Raheem Sterling‘s addition to the roster will be a blessing as his knowhow of the English top-flight and a winning CV will be a benefit in the dressing room. Similarly, Rabiot also would be valuable despite the fact that he is not a long-term option for the club.
He has enjoyed a successful career with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, two of Europe’s most prestigious sides whilst also being a regular fixture in France’s national squad for several years.
In a midfield department where only Thomas Partey has experience in winning a league title (La Liga 2020-21 at Atletico Madrid), having Rabiot’s services could go a long way in not just adding depth but ensuring that there is a mentor for a young Arsenal side.
That’s not to say that he will not be useful from a sporting perspective.
The 29-year-old has the best years of his career ahead and only left Juventus due to his financial demands being unmet by the Serie A giants. He even featured regularly for France in Euro 2024.
With Partey being one of the most injury-prone players in the squad, Rabiot’s signing as a free agent will be a cost-effective solution to ensuring that there is adequate depth in the double pivot next to Declan Rice.
Adrien Rabiot can be signed even after Deadline Day
The Premier League’s deadline for registering players is September 13th whereas free agents can be signed at any time during the year given that they are not contracted to a club.
With Adrien Rabiot running the risk of being without a club for much of the year, Arsenal can capitalise by signing him without paying a significantly high wage of signing-on bonus.
If they can get his transfer over the line in the next few days, he could spend the international break in familiarising himself with Arteta’s regimes and be available for the start of the Champions League later this month during which time Arsenal will play once every three days on average.
It remains to be seen if indeed the Gunners reignite interest in signing him though.
