For what was a very disappointing January transfer window for Arsenal at the start of the year, the club’s two lone signings indicated the potential beginnings of something far greater, no matter how underwhelming they may have appeared at the time.
Obviously, a lot has changed since then, and significant improvements to the team were made this summer.
However, it appears that the arrivals of Matt Turner and Auston Trusty are part of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s long-term plans for the Gunners.
When the signings for Turner and Trusty were revealed, The Athletic stated that the Kroenkes were aggressively looking into ways to ‘establish deeper links across their sporting clubs,’ which included giving trials to some of Colorado Rapids’ young stars.
It was added that KSE eventually hoped to ’share information across their network that will allow Arsenal to expand and deepen their scouting operations in North America’.
With all of that in mind, the probability of Arsenal and KSE returning to the MLS market is at an all-time high – but who should they recruit next?
Jesus Ferreira
Despite being only 21 years old, Ferreira is having his sixth – and best – season with FC Dallas, scoring 18 goals and giving six assists in 36 games.
The versatile forward, who can play in the middle, out wide, or even as a No.10 in midfield, has established himself as one of the most exciting possibilities in MLS and the US national teams.
Ferreira’s strong performances for club and country will almost certainly secure him a seat on the plane to Qatar later this year. Gregg Berhalter will no doubt be hopeful that the Colombian-born star can maintain his impressive form in American colours, where he has seven goals in 12 appearances.
Thiago Almada
Argentina has produced some of the best players to ever grace the field over the years, and this trend does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Atlanta United wasted no time in acquiring Almada from Vélez Sarsfield for a reported £14.5million back in February, amid suspicions that interest from rivals was developing.
After demonstrating his enormous potential in the United States, the 21-year-old now has a very genuine chance of joining Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
This season, Almada scored seven goals and had seven assists. The attacking midfielder and winger already has senior national team experience, having played in the Olympics and recently making his debut, which drew plaudits from Lionel Messi.
Jose Cifuentes
Given that Arsenal have already signed a defender in Austin Trusty and a number of attack-minded players, including a central midfielder seems like the proper thing to do, especially given that Mikel Arteta may be looking for one in January.
Cifuentes has reportedly attracted interest from Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United after scoring seven goals and contributing eight assists this season.
It’s no wonder that the 23-year-old is making headlines after LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington praised him.
