Arsenal head into the summer transfer window in a far healthier position than many of their Premier League rivals. Mikel Arteta has built one of the strongest squads in Europe, and there are very few glaring weaknesses left to address. However, even the best teams cannot afford complacency as you can be sure rivals will be strengthening.
Rather than needing anything like a complete rebuild, this feels like a window where Arsenal can focus on adding quality in a few important areas. A top-level left winger, more midfield depth and an elite striker could be enough to push the Gunners to the next level.
Returning Loanees
Arsenal will welcome back several players from loan spells this summer, although it remains unclear how heavily they will feature in Arteta’s plans next season. Ethan Nwaneri, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira are all set to return, but none currently look likely to become regular starters and could even be sold.
Nwaneri remains one of the club’s brightest young talents and could still have a role as a squad option, particularly in cup competitions. However, his loan to Marseille has proven something of a nightmare. He has not started a match for the French side since early February, with the Marseille manager questioning his “everyday commitment”. The lack of minutes will have stalled his progress, and he may well be sent back out on loan again next year.
Nelson’s future feels especially uncertain, as just one year remains on his contract. It seems likely Arsenal will try to cash in on him while they can still claim a fee. Vieira also faces a difficult challenge after struggling to fully adapt to the Premier League since arriving from Porto. While his technical ability is obvious, it seems like he is better suited to another league. Indeed, there could well be interest from Bundesliga teams given he has impressed for Hamburg this season.
How Much Will Arsenal Have to Spend?
Arsenal are in a decent financial position heading into the summer transfer window despite a £675m net spend over the last five years. Although much has been spent on the squad, revenues have been healthy of late. This season alone, reaching the Champions League final after beating Atletico Madrid secured UEFA prize money worth around £122m.
Even though there is no huge need to sell, Arsenal are still expected to balance spending with player sales. The club have already raised around £19m after Porto activated their option to sign Jakub Kiwior permanently following his loan spell.
Further departures are also possible. Any sales involving academy graduates such as Myles Lewis-Skelly or Nwaneri would represent pure profit under financial rules, although Arsenal may be reluctant to lose either. Senior players including Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have also all been linked with moves away, and could go if the right offer comes in, while even captain Martin Odegaard may be allowed to leave.
Positions Arsenal Need to Strengthen
Too many changes to a squad in one transfer window can disrupt team chemistry and momentum, so Arsenal would be wise to avoid another overly busy summer. Instead, the focus should be on signing three key players who can immediately improve the squad without upsetting the balance Arteta has carefully built.
Left Wing
Left wing arguably stands out as Arsenal’s biggest priority this summer. Gabriel Martinelli’s performances have plateaued over the last three seasons and he no longer looks reliable enough to start every week for a side with title ambitions. Leandro Trossard, meanwhile, remains a useful squad player, but at 31 years old, Arsenal cannot expect him to carry the position long term.
Bradley Barcola
If the Gunners truly want to take the next step, they may need to invest heavily in a genuine elite-level winger. Bradley Barcola would be an outstanding signing after his rapid development at PSG, although prising him away could prove extremely difficult.
Kenan Yildiz
The same is also true of the highly regarded Kenan Yildiz who signed a contract extension in February, keeping him at Juventus until 2030.
Yan Diomande
Another player attracting huge interest across Europe is Yan Diomande, who is widely viewed as one of the game’s next breakout attacking talents. Arsenal are unlikely to be alone in the race if they decide to pursue him. However, at just 19 years old, he may need a season or two before reaching the level required to become a regular starter for a team competing for the biggest trophies.
Iliman Ndiaye
A more attainable option could be Iliman Ndiaye. He may not possess the same star profile as some of the other names linked, but he has proven himself in England and is continually improving.
Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon is another proven Premier League performer who would provide a great deal of directness to the attack. However, Newcastle would still demand a large transfer fee despite needing to raise funds.
Central Midfield
Declan Rice has once again been one of Arsenal’s most important players, but the lack of reliable cover behind him has become increasingly obvious. Christian Norgaard, brought in last summer, has not been trusted in the biggest matches, meaning Rice has often been forced to play huge amounts of football without proper rest.
Adam Wharton
Arsenal do not necessarily need another midfielder in the same mould as Rice, but they do need someone dependable who is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and is tidy in possession. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would be an ideal fit. The midfielder has quickly developed into one of the Premier League’s best young central midfielders thanks to his passing range and composure in possession.
Elliot Anderson
Another excellent option who also ticks the homegrown box is Elliot Anderson. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has flourished this season with his energy, technical quality and work rate. Forest are extremely reluctant to part with their best player, though and are reportedly demanding a £120m transfer fee, which may price Arsenal out, with both Manchester cubs reportedly interested.
Striker
Arsenal’s need for a striker has long been an issue, but it seemed like the club finally found a solution when signing Viktor Gyokeres last summer. While the Swede has enjoyed a solid season in terms of goals, there is a feeling he may not be the perfect fit for Arteta’s system. Despite the respectable goalscoring return, he rarely resembles the player who tore up the Portuguese league for Sporting CP, although he has improved of late and could settle yet further next term.
Julian Alvarez
There is no desperate need for an upgrade, but Atletico’s Julian Alvarez will surely tempt Arsenal if a deal is viable. The Londoners have been heavily linked with the Argentine and he already has plenty of Premier League experience from his time at Manchester City. Since leaving England, Alvarez has continued to develop into an even more complete forward and would offer more in the build-up than Gyokeres.