Unai Emery says the transfer window closing for Premier League clubs before the season starts is a positive, even though clubs elsewhere in the world will be able to sign England-based players for an additional three weeks.
Premier League clubs agreed earlier this year to close the window at 5pm on Thursday, 9 August, a full 22 days before lower league clubs and Europe’s biggest leagues call time on their own transfer business.
Coming off the back of a busy World Cup summer, it has put the pressure on clubs in England’s top division to get their business done early.
It also leaves them vulnerable to ‘contract rebels’ forcing moves at a time when new arrivals are off the table. In Arsenal’s case, they have to weigh up the possibility of pre-emptively replacing Aaron Ramsey even though the Welshman, who has only one year on his contract, could still sign a new deal at the club.
Despite the complications, Emery is fine with the situation. Speaking from Singapore, he said: “For us, the decision to close the transfer market on August 9 is good because we start the Premier League and it is better to close the window when the competition starts.
“They haven’t done it in Spain, or Italy or Germany, but for us I think it is good.”
Emery added that he does still have one eye in the market, should a player take his eye.
“I am very happy with how the club is working and we are working every day on how we can improve.
“I am with the players and those who have arrived this week, I am very happy with and I said at the last press conference that if there is an opportunity to try to sign one player, then we are looking.” ”
On a separate note, the head coach also underlined how pleased he’s been with his squad’s efforts since pre-season began three weeks ago.
The Gunners step-up their preparations for the new season tomorrow when they face Atletico Madrid in the International Champions Cup tomorrow. That’s then followed, on Saturday, by a showdown with his former club Paris Saint Germain.
“We are settling in very well, working and doing preparation for the two games, against Atletico Madrid and PSG,” said Emery.
We worked hard yesterday and Monday and today we reduce a little ahead of tomorrow’s match. The thinking is for continuous hard preparation.
“Each match is different, with Atletico Madrid and PSG the level is bigger [than against Boreham Wood] and it is clear these two clubs don’t have at the moment every player who was at the World Cup.
“The level is still big and we play with our capacity today, but we are still waiting on some players who played in the World Cup too.
“But I am very happy with the work every day and with the performance of the players and tomorrow we are going to prepare to play against Atletico. We are three weeks into our work.” Arsenal will host Manchester City in their first Premier League fixture for next season before travelling to face London rivals Chelsea in their second encounter.