Arsenal ended the summer transfer window with three fewer attackers than they started with despite winning the Premier League title.
The outcome follows a pledge by co-chair Josh Kroenke to evolve the squad after securing the league trophy in May, ending Arsenal's 22-year wait for the title. Kroenke warned that rival clubs in the Premier League top six were already working to strengthen their squads.
"Right now there are other teams that are already trying to strengthen to come at us for next season," Kroenke said in May. "So we need to be aware of that. We've already had a few conversations about different areas that we think we can improve, both on and off the pitch. We are looking forward to getting that going this summer."
While Arsenal built a squad sturdy enough to retain their crown, the club missed an opportunity to create an impregnable line-up. Last year, the signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres satisfied supporter calls for a top-quality centre forward. However, this summer marked a return to the frustrations of 2023 and 2024, when the club failed to recruit a specialist central attacker and initially signed Kai Havertz as a midfielder.
Midfield Success and Striker Frustration
The hierarchy executed its overall transfer plans with mixed results, though some deals were completed impressively. Arsenal secured a major win in midfield by completing the £75million signing of Brazilian international Bruno Guimaraes.
The fee represents exceptional value compared to other midfield transfers across the Premier League. Chelsea paid £125million for Enzo Fernandez, West Ham signed Elliot Anderson for £116million, and Newcastle United spent £100million on Sandro Tonali. Guimaraes arrived for £25million less than Tonali despite being considered by many as a superior player.
Frustrations emerged in the forward line, where Arsenal missed out on several primary targets. The Gunners wanted Aston Villa winger Morgan Rogers, but Chelsea signed the England international after far exceeding Arsenal's £80million valuation. Sources claim Rogers was keen on moving to north London, and his representatives urged Arsenal to match Chelsea's bid before the Gunners walked away from the table.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was the prize Arsenal wanted most, but the Brazilian chose to stay in Spain. Cynics suggested the player used Arsenal's interest to secure an improved contract at the Bernabeu.
Missed Targets in Pursuit of Forwards
Arsenal also pursued Barcelona-bound forward Julian Alvarez, but recognized last weekend that the long-term target was determined to join the Catalan club. The search for a central attacker extended further into the transfer window.
Daily Mail Sport understands Arsenal assistant manager Gabriel Heinze, a former Argentina defender, reached out to Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez early last week regarding a potential move. However, the Italian club refused to entertain any deal for their fellow Argentine, who has three years remaining on his contract.
Arsenal actively tried to bring in a striker to supplement Havertz and Gyokeres following the departure of Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona. Gyokeres has not played a single minute in either of Arsenal's opening two league matches, prompting questions over whether manager Mikel Arteta was sending a message to the board. Arsenal also evaluated Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, but declined to bid before Liverpool completed a £123million deal for the France international.
Outgoings and Thinning Options on the Left
The failed pursuits leave Arsenal's forward line more bare than last season. The club lost three attacking players in Leandro Trossard, Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli, while adding only Greek winger Christos Tzolis.
Trossard joined Turkish side Besiktas for £15million, while Jesus moved to Barcelona for £9million. Martinelli is finalizing a £55million move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal before the Saudi transfer window closes on September 6. Attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri also left on loan to German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
The lack of depth is particularly acute on the left wing, where Tzolis and Eberechi Eze are the only direct options. Tzolis was earmarked as a high-ceiling prospect for the future, while Eze spent most of last season as an attacking midfielder. With injuries harming Arsenal last season, former Chelsea winger Noni Madueke is now expected to feature on either flank more regularly.
Ownership Spending and Defensive Reinforcements
Sporting director Andrea Berta faces scrutiny for the failure to land a top attacker in an exclusive market featuring scarce options and sky-high prices. Meanwhile, parent company Kroenke Sports and Entertainment completed a £2.9billion acquisition of Major League Baseball franchise the Los Angeles Angels on deadline day.
Despite the attacking shortages, Arsenal completed a smart addition by signing England centre-back Ezri Konsa. The defender bolsters an already formidable backline, reinforcing the Gunners' squad as the best defensive unit in the Premier League.
The signing of Konsa also achieved a secondary objective by denying rival clubs a proven defender. Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea were all in greater need of a centre-back than Arsenal, making the transfer a strategic boost for the champions.
Record Transfer Revenues and Wage Savings
Tzolis has shown promising signs since arriving in north London, delivering a strong performance in the FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City and earning man of the match honors against Coventry City, despite struggling against Aston Villa on Monday.
Arsenal also altered their historical narrative of being poor at securing transfer outgoings. Contract terminations for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Nicolas Pepe, and Sead Kolasinac had previously reinforced criticisms of the club's selling strategy, while the club's record sale had stood at £35million for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's move to Liverpool in 2017.
Martinelli's pending £55million departure will set a new club record as part of more than £100million raised through player sales this summer. Other departures include defender Jakub Kiwior to Porto for £15million, midfielder Fabio Vieira to Hamburg for £9million, and midfielder Christian Norgaard to Everton for £7million.
The exits of Martinelli, Jesus, and Vieira also relieve financial pressure by removing approximately £500,000 per week from the club's wage bill.
Arsenal remain clear favourites to retain the Premier League title under Arteta and stand among the elite teams in European football. However, with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea determined to close the gap, the failure to add a blockbuster forward leaves the champions with a tighter margin for error than necessary.
