As Mikel Arteta and Edu turn their attention towards reducing the squad size following a £200m summer recruitment drive, Arsenal’s gaze falls upon Ajax’s attacking midfielder, Mohammed Kudus.

Despite significant recruitment, the Gunners are open to further additions, and the versatile Ghanaian could be a potential target.

• Arsenal show interest in Ajax’s £40million-rated midfielder Mohammed Kudus, as they plan to offload players following their £200m summer recruitment.
• Gunners are considering selling players like Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, and Nicolas Pepe while being keen on retaining Thomas Partey despite interest from Saudi Arabia.
• Arsenal begin the hunt for a new head of medicine after Gary O’Driscoll is set to join Manchester United, with Premier League’s Mark Gillett on their radar.

Arsenal’s next steps after the £200m spending spree

The summer of 2023 has seen Arsenal significantly bolster their squad with high-profile signings including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber.

But as the dust settles on the £200 million spending spree, the focus has switched to the existing squad’s size.

Cutting down on team size: Who’s on the exit list?

Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu have their sights set on trimming the team.

Several players, including Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding, have attracted interest that could lead to potential sales.

Thomas Partey’s uncertain future

Thomas Partey‘s future remains uncertain, with Arsenal not keen on selling the Ghanaian midfielder unless a significant offer comes in.

Despite interest from other clubs, it seems Partey’s departure would only happen if a ‘huge’ bid is made.

Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus on Arsenal’s radar

In spite of the current focus on offloading players, the Gunners aren’t ruling out further additions this summer.

One name that has piqued Arsenal’s interest is Ajax’s attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus.

The 22-year-old, who’s caught attention after impressing in the Eredivisie, is known for his versatility in playing multiple midfield roles.

Versatility attracts Arsenal to Kudus

Kudus’ ability to adapt to various positions, including a conventional central midfield role and even on the right wing, makes him an attractive prospect for Arsenal’s recruitment staff.

However, the Gunners aren’t alone in their pursuit; Brighton have also shown interest in the £40 million-rated Ghanaian midfielder.

A significant factor in Kudus’ decision could be the opportunity to play in the Champions League and be part of a team aiming for the Premier League title next season.

These factors might tip the scales in Arsenal’s favour.

Head of medicine departure initiates recruitment process

As Arteta and Edu navigate player transfers, the club is also undergoing changes in their medical department.

Arsenal’s head of medicine Gary O’Driscoll, is set to join Manchester United.

His departure has led the Gunners to start the process of identifying replacements. The Premier League’s chief medical officer, Mark Gillett, with extensive experience in English football, is one of the potential candidates they’d like to talk to.

The summer at Arsenal thus seems to be a juggling act of departures, arrivals, and internal changes. Yet, with their eyes on a title push, the Gunners appear to be calculating each move with precision and intent.