The January window came and went, no arsenal Strengthen the first team lineup. To be honest, that was always the plan.
Over the summer, the Gunners have spent a lot of energy strengthening their squad in preparation for the new season. Premier League and the Champions League title race.
Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and others have joined. Although some people have good and bad success stories, Mikel Arteta Now arguably have the best team in Europe. The fact that they are ranked number one domestically and on the continent says it all.
However, there is almost some late drama. Mikel Merino’s foot injury will require surgery to repair, meaning they did consider their options on deadline day. Nothing happened, not even Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, they Talks reportedly held to sign.
Tonali would likely become the biggest transfer of the winter if done, but as it happens, Antoine Semenyo £64m transfer Manchester City is the biggest. Liverpool’s new defender Jeremy Jacquet also Agree to sign deal worth £60m.
That said, the centre-back won’t contact his new teammates until the summer. This transfer is a blow to Arsenal, who have also looking at young french man.
Why Arsenal want to sign Jeremy Jacquet
Well, as Como scout Ben Martinson puts it, Jacquet “has the tools to become a top five centre-back in the world”. It’s easy to see why the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal are pursuing his signature in 2026.
The Blues are in talks to acquire him Although the Gunners never went that far, there was admiration for a player who was often compared to William Saliba.
Like Arsenal’s number two, he was born in the same area of Bondy, France, and like Saliba, he was making waves in Ligue 1 from an early age.
What makes him so special? Well, Jacquet is mature beyond his years and possesses the poise and elegance at the back that Arsenal’s great centre-backs possess.
They’ve both made huge strides, not only helping with speed but also with tackles. As mentioned above Martinson mentionedThe 20-year-old’s “sliding tackle was excellent”.
Ranking particularly high in metrics like aerial duels won, he’s not only comfortable on the ball and on the ground, but he’s also a monster in the air. There isn’t much that the Rennes superstar doesn’t qualify for.
Fortunately for Arsenal, they already have a number of excellent centre-backs.
Arsenal’s response to Jeremy Jacquet
To be honest, Arteta’s defense is in good shape even without the arrival of Jacquet. Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba are two of the best centre-backs in the world at the moment and are without a doubt the best partnership in the land.
Behind them, there are some outstanding young talents emerging. Mari Salmon is one of the best young defenders we have seen at Hale End in recent years, and the young centre-back has already featured in the FA Cup and Champions League this season.
There’s also Cristian Mosquera, a £13m signing from Arsenal who has made few mistakes while representing Gabriel and Saliba this season.
However, on deadline day, clubs are adding to their ranks by sealing what Fabrizio Romano described as ‘massive signing’. Arsenal haven’t spent a huge amount of time getting this one over the line, but it’s still an exciting addition to the academy.
Indeed, it was reported on Monday night that the north Londoners have agreed to sign Jaden Dixon from Stoke City. They paid a fee of over £3 million to sign the player, and while he will initially be linked with the Under-21s, there is reason to believe the 18-year-old is capable of playing for Arsenal’s first team.
After all, this is a young defender who has already made six appearances for Stoke’s senior team and is considered a player with a bright future.
Former Stoke City academy director Gareth Owen, who also played for Tottenham Hotspur, said of Dixon: “I may be biased against Jaden. When he left Tottenham Hotspur, I was actively involved in his arrival at the club from the beginning. It will be interesting to see how he handles the situation as a former Tottenham player at Arsenal if it happens.”
Owen continued: “However, he is one of the best centre-backs in his age group and in England. He has the quality to get to that level.”
So what makes him so good? Not only does Dixon possess the ability to play as a central defender like Jacquet, but he has also played as a right-back and left-back during his career. He also played as a holding midfielder during his time at Stoke Academy.
|
Dixon – Stoke U18s breaks into the first team |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
game |
Goals + assists |
|
center back |
37 |
1 |
|
right back |
8 |
0 |
|
left back |
3 |
2 |
|
midfield |
1 |
0 |
Judging by his attributes, the teenager is a phenomenal player on the ball, just like Jacquet. Some have commented that the Arsenal new signing is one of the best young point guards around, including Arsenal academy expert Will BalsamHe spoke highly of Dixon after news of his arrival broke.
Balsam said on social media: “He looks like a physical player with good passing range and good ball control.”
While Dixon possesses greater versatility than Jacquet, they do share similar traits in terms of physicality and ball-handling ability.
Of course, Liverpool’s new high-paid signing is well ahead of him in his development, but he’s two years older. Dixon has been given plenty of time to hone his skills before potentially breaking into the Arsenal first team in a few years’ time.







