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Arsenal transfer news: Martin Keown opens up on Unai Emery plans ahead of deadline day
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery won’t sign any more players before Thursday’s transfer deadline, Gunners hero Martin Keown reckons.
The Gunners have had a busy transfer window following Emery’s arrival, with five players heading to the Emirates.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Lucas Torreira, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi all joined Arsenal this summer.
Emery has remained coy when talking about Arsenal’s transfer plans before Thursday’s 5pm deadline.
And former Gunners ace Keown reckons Emery will stick with his current squad and spend again in the January window.
“I think it’s difficult for a manager,” Keown said to the Daily Star.
“If you think about it he’s got 22 new signings doesn’t he. He’s got to come in, he’s got to work with all the players.
I think he’s possibly done his business nice and early and he’s going to prepare with this group
“He’s got four central defenders there with (Calum) Chambers, (Rob) Holding, (Shkodran) Mustafi and Sokratis. He’s got to get that message across and identify quickly.
“I don’t know whether the money’s there. I think he’s going to have to sell probably if he’s going to buy and there doesn’t seem to be much happening in the transfer market.
“So I think he’s possibly done his business nice and early and he’s going to prepare with this group, see how he goes from there and maybe the next transfer window he goes in again.
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“But I think it’s sensible what they’re doing, he’s working with what they’ve got.
“It’s only when the season starts and they play games for real, you work out who can cut it and who can’t.”
Arsenal kick off their Premier League season against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates.
The Gunners are fully focused on domestic competitions after failing to qualify for the Champions League last time out.