Gunners boss Arteta has got to balance squad numbers

Once the complex negotiations for Rice are wrapped up, and Arsenal explore the possibility of a versatile defender such as Jurrien Timber, the Gunners will be set up nicely for the start of pre-season with their new recruits.

So, what’s left for the rest of the summer transfer window?

There are currently 25 players and 10 loanees listed on the Arsenal website, and Rice plus a defender would take that to 37 players in total. 

Mikel Arteta has repeatedly expressed his desire to have a 25-man squad for a season, leaving significant work to be done on the outgoings front, before any incomings can happen. 

That is unless a market opportunity comes up that is too good to ignore, which is potentially what Havertz was for Arteta.

The goalkeeping position will surely see a crunch with five keepers cut down to three, likely resulting in two sales or loans.

In defence, Pablo Mari has already been sold to Monza while the likes of Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares and Aaron Trusty are likely on the chopping block to balance the wage bill and offset a small portion of the current spend.

Midfield is an area where higher profile departures are on the cards with Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga all rumoured to be departing.

With the likely arrival of Rice, it makes sense to cash in on Xhaka and or Partey, while minutes for Lokonga would likely be limited next season, pointing to a sale or loan as an obvious option. 

Up front is another overloaded area with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Folarin Balogun, Havertz and Leandro Trossard all fighting for minutes down the middle, although most can be deployed elsewhere. 

Selling Nketiah or Balogun for a sizeable fee could recoup some funds in a position that is oversubscribed as things stand.

There is some serious work to do on the departures front to cut the numbers down. Sales and loans should take priority before a potential late incoming or two late in the window.