Arsenal Supremo Reveals Clubs Summer Transfer Plans

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has been speaking about the clubs transfer plans and revealed they will be looking to add quality not quantity this summer.

Speaking to Arsenal.com, the American said that securing third place and automatic champions league qualification will make this summer easier and the early signing of Lukas Podolski was vital, as he believes the German striker will prove to be an excellent piece of business for the Gunners.

Gazidis hinted that there could be some transfer activity prior the European championships, which start on the 8th June, and stressed that the club always try to get their business done as early as possible but the most important factor is ensuring they buy the right players.

The chief executive feels Arsenal are solid throughout the squad but declared that they will be looking to add quality in the area’s they feel could be strengthened this summer.

Here is what Ivan told Arsenal.com when quizzed on this summers transfer plans:

I think the good thing about this summer is that there is more certainty in terms of our Champions League position. We have acted early to get the critical signing of Lukas Podolski. Our fans will be able to see him compete at the Euros and see what a very good player he is. The great thing about Lukas is that not only can he contribute goals, but he can also play in different positions so you get tremendous versatility and Arsenal class. He is technically a top-class player and that was a good early addition for us.

I think the way that the window will pan out is with some activity before the Euros, particularly with respect to the European players who are playing, the quieter period while the Euros are actually taking place and then a period of activity afterwards.

We always try and conduct our activity as early as we can, everybody wants to do that. But I would say an even bigger overriding priority is to make sure that we get the right pieces in place. We have a good squad which is very solid across all areas, we have developed a very solid British core of young players and this is the youngest squad in the Premier League. They are developing year on year.

Some of the players we have brought in, for example Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny at the back, are developing in the Premier League and I think this is a year for them to really step forward and show what they can do with some experience under their belts.

Then we have some experienced players who bring know-how into the team, players like Mikel Arteta, Andre Santos – those types of players who come in and add something a little bit different. The key for us is not the volume of signings we might make but that the signings we make add something to the squad. That is something Arsène thinks extremely carefully about and for all of the pressure he is placed under, he tends to make good decisions.

There is very little said that we wouldn’t expect to hear. Arsenal always tell us they will get their transfer business done early but very rarely does it happen. Podolski is a very selective case.

The Euro’s complicate matters for sure, but it must be remembered this is the case for all clubs, not just Arsenal. I think Arsene knows the targets he want’s and will be doing his best to tie them up, but top players will know a good performance at the Euro’s will make their value, both in terms of transfer fee and wages, sky rocket. So most players decide to wait.

This could be a very busy summer at the Emirates. We’ll see plenty of players leaving and i think Wenger want’s a further 2-3 top quality players to come in along with Podolski. Defensive midfield and a creative player seem a certainty, but of course most Arsenal fans are worrying about the future of RVP.

Like new signings, we’ll have to wait until after the Euro’s before that questions is answered.

Who would you like Arsenal to buy this summer? Get involved in the comments section.