Arsenal can solve £33m Arteta problem with Gnabry free transfer agreement…

Arsenal can address the £33m issue with Arteta by securing a free transfer agreement for Gnabry.

The latest updates on Arsenal’s transfer activities reveal a potential opportunity for Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta involving a free agent.

Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, has little time to reflect on a highly successful summer transfer window, as plans for January are likely already in motion.

The Gunners have recently invested £251 million to acquire eight players, clearly elevating the quality of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Notable signings such as Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke have contributed significantly, while Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, and Christian Norgaard have provided essential depth.

Piero Hincapie also joined from Bayer Leverkusen on deadline day, arriving on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

The focus during the final 12 hours of the transfer window was primarily on player departures, with Fabio Vieira, Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleksandr Zinchenko all moving on.

Leandro Trossard was another player rumored to be leaving due to stalled contract extension discussions, but he managed to secure improved terms on the contract he signed in 2023 when he joined from Brighton for £27 million.

The injury sustained by Kai Havertz seemed to influence this situation, as Arteta was keen to avoid being short-handed in attack once more.

Bukayo Saka is also currently sidelined with a muscular injury, which led to Noni Madueke being positioned on the right against Liverpool, while Gabriel Martinelli started on the left.

The 24-year-old did not perform as expected at Anfield, prompting Arteta to substitute him for Eze after 70 minutes. Although Martinelli was acquired for just £6 million from Brazilian club Ituano, he appears to have regressed, raising concerns for Arteta.

Eze is capable of playing on the wing, but his long-term prospects at the Emirates Stadium should ideally be in central positions, creating a dilemma for the left side.

Similarly, while Madueke can operate there, he is significantly more effective on the opposite flank.

This is arguably the one position that requires an elite-level upgrade sooner rather than later. However, funds may be limited to facilitate this, as Arsenal is expected to spend significantly less next summer.

Fortunately, a high-profile addition is feasible without incurring substantial transfer fees, and it can be arranged in January.

This is possible because Arsenal can enter into pre-contract agreements for players whose contracts expire in 2026 and who are outside the Premier League.

Frenkie de Jong, Dayot Upamecano, and Dusan Vlahovic are among the prominent names in Europe whose contracts are set to expire, but as one scrolls through transfermarkt’s ‘contracts ending in 2026’ page, a name very familiar to Arsenal emerges.

Serge Gnabry left north London back in 2016 but could make a sensational return a decade later after an extensive period in Germany.

The Bayern Munich winger has less than 12 months left on his contract, making a free transfer next summer a possibility.

Even though he will be 31 when the 2026/27 season begins, he still has much to offer, as evidenced by his four goal contributions in as many games during the early stages of the current campaign.

Before that, he netted seven goals and provided nine assists, clearly demonstrating his talent.

Arsenal is in dire need of a wide forward with composure, and Gnabry can fulfill that role. It also appears to be a dream deal for Berta, with the potential to secure him for free in just a few months.