Mikel Arteta has hit back at suggestions that Arsenal have left themselves short in attack following a high-profile summer exodus at the Emirates Stadium. Despite sanctioned departures for three senior forwards, the Gunners boss remains adamant that the club's recruitment strategy was both ambitious and calculated.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso faces an anxious wait over the fitness of vice-captain Moises Caicedo ahead of Sunday's crucial London derby against Arsenal. The Ecuador international is a major doubt for the trip to the Emirates Stadium after suffering his second injury setback in the space of just two weeks.
Bradley Barcola was heavily linked with Arsenal during the summer transfer window, but ultimately ended up at Liverpool after completing a £123 million ($167m) move from Paris Saint-Germain. That deal has raised a few eyebrows, and concerns, with ex-Gunners and France defender Bacary Sagna discussing the financial state of football during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Gabriel Martinelli has completed a £60 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal after being frozen out of the Arsenal squad. The Brazilian winger posted a heartfelt farewell message to the Gunners, but conspicuously omitted manager Mikel Arteta following a reported rift between the pair.
Gary Neville has backed defending champions Arsenal to pass their first major test of the Premier League season against Xabi Alonso's Chelsea. The Manchester United legend expects a fascinating tactical clash at the Emirates Stadium but is tipping the title holders to claim a comfortable victory.
Mikel Arteta is facing a selection headache ahead of Arsenal's high-stakes London derby against Chelsea this weekend. The Gunners boss saw two key first-team players absent from Thursday's preparations as the squad gear up for the Emirates clash.
Gabriel Martinelli has officially ended his seven-year association with Arsenal, completing a blockbuster £60m move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. The Brazilian forward, who was a pivotal figure in the Gunners' recent Premier League title success, makes the switch after being frozen out of the first-team picture by Mikel Arteta at the start of the new campaign.
Barcelona reportedly turned down the chance to sign Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade during the final days of the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants opted against rescuing the struggling German international, opting instead to finalise a cut-price move for Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus. Woltemade subsequently secured a season-long loan switch to Juventus.
Ian Wright believes Mikel Arteta will be deeply frustrated by Arsenal's summer transfer business after missing out on their priority attacking targets. The Premier League champions failed to land Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, while long-term target Morgan Rogers ultimately opted to join London rivals Chelsea in a massive £117m deal.
Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal made a significant transfer blunder by allowing Bradley Barcola to join Liverpool unchallenged. The pundit feels Mikel Arteta's side desperately needed a left winger after missing out on primary targets Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez this summer.
Arsenal’s search for attacking reinforcements took a dramatic turn on transfer deadline day as the Gunners ultimately passed on the opportunity to sign Belgian starlet Malick Fofana. Despite being offered the chance to land the highly-rated Lyon winger, Mikel Arteta opted to pull the plug on the deal during the final hours of the window.
Arsenal narrowly missed out on signing Real Betis prospect Pablo Garcia after Racing Santander swooped in with a £4.3 million deal on deadline day. The 20-year-old attacker was reportedly on the verge of joining the Gunners before opting for a permanent move to remain in Spain.
Arsenal’s late-window scramble for a new talisman led them directly to the door of Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. Following the departure of Gabriel Jesus and a failed pursuit of Julian Alvarez, the Gunners turned their attention to the prolific Argentine in the final days of August.
Arsenal’s quest for a world-class attacking addition during the summer transfer window fell short of their expectations, according to Jamie Carragher, as the Gunners missed out on a marquee signing. Despite their status as Premier League champions, Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to secure the 'gamechanger' they desperately craved to elevate the squad.
Former England striker Peter Crouch has tipped Chelsea to cause a major upset against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this weekend, predicting a high-scoring thriller. Despite the Gunners' perfect start to their Premier League title defence, Crouch believes the resurgent Blues have the attacking tools to dismantle the reigning champions.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal's recruitment strategy, identifying Christos Tzolis as the standout piece of business in the Premier League. The Greek international arrived at the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth £34m, and his early performances have already sparked comparisons to some of the club's most iconic attackers.
The completion of big-money deals became a near-daily occurrence between June and September, but which of the continent's most powerful clubs spent most wisely?
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has backed former team-mate Gabriel Jesus to flourish at Barcelona following his €15 million switch from Arsenal. The Argentine believes the Brazilian forward will adapt seamlessly to Hansi Flick's system in Catalonia and easily hit double figures after calling time on his four-year stay in north London.
Feyenoord are pushing to bring Reiss Nelson back to De Kuip after the winger became a free agent following his Arsenal exit. The 26-year-old Englishman enjoyed a successful loan spell in Rotterdam during the 2021-22 season and is open to a return.
For some football fans, the summer is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most - and that's not just because it's filled by a World Cup every four years! Rather, it's because the end of the season means only one thing: It's time for transfers! The 2026 window once again proved to be exceptionally busy, with some huge names making big-money moves all the way up to Deadline Day on September 1.
Arsenal
