The biggest hit we've taken to our prospects this coming season in the last six months is not winning the league in the last one. But despite that setback, we managed to re-sign Saliba, Saka and Martinelli among others, and we've remained the preferred destination for Rice.
People like to say there may be cheaper alternatives than Rice who may be as good on the pitch, but there are none that are just as league ready, just as available, just as settled in London, just as good mates with several members of our squad, just as much the right kind of leader and personality, just as much the right age, and just as much a target for our chief rivals Manchester City. This signing is about fit, timing and making the most not just of this player, but of the whole squad we've assembled.
Paying £100+5m is a very big, expensive wager, and a high fee is never good, but perhaps because I've been a bit more distant from the silly season to date, I can't fault it. Ultimately this, like Havertz, is a bet where you could argue we've overpaid by £10m, but the potential to make up far more in revenue and successes is considerable.
Meanwhile, the strength of our player retention has reduced the amounts we need to fear spending to replace outgoing stars in coming seasons. It's all a risk, but it's great to support a version of Arsenal that continues to take some of the risks this club avoided for so long.
