JULY arrived with a heatwave and, fittingly, the dog days of summer have ignited what promises to be a scorching spending spree down at Ashburton Grove.

A combination of end-of-season holidays, and the restrictions surrounding both Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules meant that Arsenal were always going to play the waiting game before entering the transfer market.

But now the Gunners have finally triggered their recruitment drive, starting by welcoming Kepa Arrizabalaga into their squad after the Chelsea goalkeeper made the switch across the capital this week in a bargain £5m move.

The 30-year-old’s arrival is set to spark an initial outlay north of £90m, with defensive midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard both expected to follow after penning respective deals in the region of £60m and £15m. The club are also thought to be progressing well in talks to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia – the 20-year-old centre-back set to cost around £12m. Then the fun really starts as Arsenal focus on bolstering their attacking options.

Excited Gooners loved the rumours this week linking Eberechi Eze with a return to the club. The winger was released by the Gunners when he was just 13, but fresh from leading Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory last season, the now 27-year-old is said to be open to returning to Arsenal if the club decide to activate his release clause, which is reported to be £68m.

Other high-profile targets include Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. With that level of ambition being shown in the transfer window, it’s little wonder that Arrizabalaga has arrived in N5 confident of adding more medals to his collection – especially after chatting with Arteta and Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana.

“We’re here to win,” he told Arsenal.com. “I think we have a great team. I think we have great staff around here, the best facilities, so we have to prepare ourselves for this season and to have success.

“When I talk with Mikel and Inaki, they show me their desire to win. They showed me this ambition, how much they want to improve, how much they want to grow, and I’m really here to help, to push and to win more.”