Arsenal are in the “win now” phase of Arteta’s tenure, but their recruitment team is still planning for the future. Long-term transfer planning is a fundamental part of squad-building and Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s sporting director, must always be thinking a few years ahead.
When it comes to succession planning, the midfield is the most obvious area of focus for Arsenal. It is the oldest part of their outfield squad, with academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri the only midfielder in Arteta’s squad who is younger than 26.
Indeed, it was with the long-term future in mind that Arsenal pushed to sign Norwegian teenager Sverre Nypan earlier this year, before losing the race for his signature to Manchester City. Nypan is currently on loan at Middlesbrough in the Championship.
There are no guarantees that Arsenal will make a formal move for Mendoza but their interest in him is more evidence that they want to future-proof their midfield.
A secondary element to these transfers is that they can help Arsenal to be financially self-sustainable in the future. Young players have more resale value and usually do not earn huge wages, which makes it easier to sell them for a profit should they not be capable of improving the first-team squad.
Arsenal have struggled in this regard in recent years. They have largely failed to generate meaningful funds through sales, apart from through the departures of academy players such as Emile Smith Rowe (to Fulham) and Eddie Nketiah (to Crystal Palace).
Signing talented young players and providing them with an opportunity to grow — either at the club or on loan — offers two chances of success. Firstly and ideally, if the player makes it into the first team and improves the squad. Secondly, if they can be sold for profit a few years later.
