01/09/2026
The Summer Plan - How It Actually Played Out.
February and March. The club speaks to Julian. He is relaxed. Open to everything. Around the same time there is serious interest in Kenan Yildiz heading into summer. Juventus are approached. The answer is clear. Absolutely no chance.
Early summer. For months the main work is Morgan Rogers. Mikel's top target after Kenan is not available. Morgan is on board. The feeling inside is a deal could be done for 85 to 100 million. Instead of closing it, the club decides to spin plates and play the field. Too much time is wasted.
The Elliott A deal then resets the market. Villa now want over 115 million for Morgan. Checks are made on Barcola. Similar price bracket.
After weeks of delay the club finally engages properly with Villa. Villa point to the Elliott A deal as the benchmark. While Arsenal hesitate, Alonso talks to Morgan, Behdad talks to Nassef. Months of work is undone in 36 hours. Arsenal were even given a chance to match. It was turned down.
Internally it is then agreed Morgan is not worth that figure. The pivot goes to a market opportunity. Vini Jr. The hierarchy see this as a generational signing. The message is do whatever it takes. Personal terms are agreed. The final call is left to the player. He chooses Madrid. Inside the club there is deflation, but also a feeling that everything possible was done on that one.
Then a desperate pivot back to Kenan. Creative proposals are put to Juventus, including Martinelli as part of the deal. The answer remains the same. Not for sale.
Throughout all of this there have been checks on Alvarez. He is fixed on Barca despite being told it will never happen. He is seen as the only remaining level raiser, so there is a big push for Julian again. Julian still believes the Barca dream is alive.
There are checks on Gakpo and many other names. N'Diaye's agent is saying come and get me. The Fofana offer is looked at and considered.
In the end there is disappointment at how the window has finished. It has been below par.
I tried to voice concerns early when the pattern in the Morgan saga became clear. It is hard to become competent overnight after being so dithery and hesitant while trying to spin plates.
Side note and it is a big side note because truth matters. The sale of Myles via Kia was explored to understand market value. Myles always said he wanted to stay. He is settled now. That matter is closed.
I am a fan just like everyone else. When my club promises big things, I get excited. If there is disappointment inside the club about how the summer ended, fans are entitled to voice opinions too. Frustration is justified. Many who know more feel the same way.
PSG signed Doue when he was on the come up. The market is there for shrewd operators. Mikel deserves world class people around him. Premier League champions. Champions League finalists. And the attack ends up weaker.
Man City rebuilt their entire squad in one summer. Arsenal have not signed a true world class attacker in five or six windows.
It was the summer of Premier League champions. The plan and ex*****on was not a Champions summer.
I am gutted and worried about numbers being short. I will always back Mikel and the lads. They give everything. Mikel will now want to focus on what is next. That is Chelsea.
If anyone at Arsenal is reading this. Fans are not crying about a shiny new toy. The squad is backed. Everyone understands we are in a good place. The feeling is we wanted to be in a great place.
