Opinion: Frenkie de Jong would complete Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal makeover

Whether or not Arsenal win this season’s Premier League there’s no doubt whatsoever that they are improving as an outfit, and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong could complete the picture at the Emirates Stadium for Mikel Arteta.

The Dutchman hasn’t made any moves to suggest that his own future is away from the Catalan giants, however, Financial Fair Play is likely to dictate that Barca need to sell at least one of their big names this summer.

It’s thought that the club have tried to offload de Jong before now and he has steadfastly refused to move on, though his situation may now be worth reviewing from a personal standpoint.

Frenkie de Jong would be a super signing for Arsenal

Barcelona certainly have enough midfielders to compensate for his absence too.

Gavi, once he returns from injury, Pedri, Ilkay Gundogan, Fermin Lopez and Sergi Roberto are all likely to be retained by the club, and with a potential bid for Man City’s Bernardo Silva, that would give Barca six midfielders without de Jong.

His energy, power and dynamism is just the type of skill set that would sit right at home in the red and white half of North London.

Having rid themselves of the old guard such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang et al, landing de Jong as the centrepiece of his project would surely complete the transition from old to new for Arteta.

If the Gunners are not holding the Premier League title aloft this season, with de Jong in their ranks for 2024/25, there’d be a very good chance they could do so in 12 months time.

As the North Londoners have already shown they buy astutely in the transfer market, and don’t tend to throw good money after bad.

De Jong’s hire would be a real coup and it’s a move that could have benefits for all parties in the short and longer term.