Arsenal entered this summer in a position every rival wanted.
Mikel Arteta had finally delivered the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait, but the response has not been to admire the trophy cabinet.
The champions have continued strengthening.
Illan Meslier arrived to add competition and depth in goal, while Christos Tzolis gave Arteta another quick, direct option across the front line.
Piero Hincapie’s move was also made permanent following his loan spell. The Ecuador international already understands Arsenal’s demands and can cover central defence or the left side.
The headline signing, however, was Bruno Guimarães.
Arsenal paid £75 million to take the midfielder from Newcastle, adding another proven Premier League performer to a department already containing Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi, Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze.
It was a signing made for the present.
Guimaraes is 28, experienced and ready to play immediately as Arsenal attempt to retain their title and go one step further after losing the Champions League final to PSG.
There has also been movement in the opposite direction.
Christian Norgaard has joined Everton after falling down the midfield order, while Jakub Kiwior completed a permanent switch to Porto. More departures could follow, with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri attracting interest.
Arteta has already made clear that further business is expected. Another attacker remains under consideration, but the more urgent issue has developed in defence.
William Saliba is recovering from a back injury suffered during the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is not yet ready to return from his groin problem.
Those absences leave Arsenal short of senior defensive cover at the beginning of a season in which there will be very little margin for error.
That need has placed an experienced Premier League defender at the centre of the latest transfer story.
Arsenal in ‘final stages’ of talks with Aston Villa for Ezri Konsa
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are in the final stages of talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Ezri Konsa.
The report claims the transfer is ’99 per cent’ complete, with the package expected to be worth between £60 million and £65 million.
Konsa has reportedly told Villa that he wants the move too.
Konsa would suit Arteta’s preference for defenders who can handle several jobs.
He is comfortable at centre back, has experience at right back and possesses the pace to defend the spaces Arsenal leave behind their press.
The England international, who was a regular for Thomas Tuchel’s side at the World Cup, is accustomed to playing out from the back under Unai Emery, and his arrival could affect Ben White, who has slipped behind Timber and endured two injury-disrupted seasons.
However, Arsenal supporters should retain caution.
Other reliable reports suggest Villa have held firm on their valuation and that Arsenal have opened discussions with Bayer Leverkusen over Jarell Quansah instead.
Until an agreement is announced, Konsa’s transfer cannot be treated as a done deal just yet.
