Arsenal completed the signing of Bologna right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu minutes before the window closed, becoming the club’s sixth arrival of the summer
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Arsenal were the biggest Premier League spenders in the summer window as Mikel Arteta busily went about overhauling his struggling squad.
Six first-teamers arrived at the Emirates at a total outlay of more than £150million, signifying the faith owners still have in the manager.
That’s despite early season form which has seen the Gunners lose all three league games, conceding nine times and failing to score a single goal for themselves.
Going into the first international break, Arsenal are rooted to the bottom of the table, with pressure mounting on both Arteta and technical director Edu.
But the Spaniard is using the break between fixtures wisely, conducting a behind-closed-doors friendly to continue to sharpen his charges.
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Earlier this week, a strong Arsenal XI thumped Brentford 4-0 at London Colney, exacting a small slice of revenge that stunned them on the opening day of the season.
During the friendly victory, Arteta reverted to the formation which helped him to his most successful run in the Emirates dugout, playing three central defenders.
Returning Ben White and Gabriel lined up alongside Pablo Mari, while Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers occupied the wing back positions.
That’s the shape which helped the Gunners to the FA Cup in 2020, first overcoming Manchester City in the semi, before a memorable win over Chelsea in the final.
Following that victory however, Arteta looked to move away from that more defensive formation, instead playing with a back four.
The results certainly haven’t been as consistent and feeling the pressure, the Arsenal boss could switch back.
Should that happen, new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has already been eyed up as one of the three central defenders.
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Predominantly a right-back, Arteta made sure to allude to the Japan international’s versatility and his ability to play centrally.
“We followed him for a while,” he told the club’s media team. “We needed a full back who could be very versatile, can play as a centre back, can play in a back three, Tomi has this capacity.”
And if Tomiyasu is utilised as a centre-back, that could open the door for a stunning swoop for Serge Aurier.
The Frenchman saw his Tottenham contract terminated on deadline day, ending his association with the club a year before his deal expired.
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Aurier is now free to join any club he wishes and according to Sky Sports, he is open to a move across north London.
The 28-year-old is hoping to stay in England and has very recent experience playing on the right side of a back-five.
A progressive type of full-back, Aurier could provide the thrust that Arteta is searching for from his two wing-backs.
It would no doubt be a shock, but Tomiyasu’s ability to play centrally could mean Arsenal’s long right-back search is yet to be concluded.