Nico Williams is going to Barcelona (so is Joan Garcia). Rafael Leao links appear to have been premature (and make little sense given his lack of defensive work rate). Rodrygo is in a state of flux at Real Madrid. Arsenal are yet to really act.
It has been a frustrating start to the summer transfer window for Gunners supporters with their team yet to really kick into gear. Despite plenty of talk around Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, a breakthrough has not been made.
The direction of travel is towards Sesko but that has not manifested itself into much more than simply noise at this stage. Although there is plenty of time to get business done, the start of July approaches, which brings with it the return of players ahead of pre-season, and the first of many upcoming deadlines.
If it's not up front then the attention has been turned to getting more firepower and depth on the wings. A right-sided player to support Bukayo Saka is needed with two-way players more ideal.
Leao and Williams have been among the names mentioned so far with Rodrygo someone of interest as well. Noni Madueke is the latest reportedly on the radar.
Chelsea are thought to be open to offers for the 23-year-old with Newcastle United previously in for him. Madeuke was signed in January 2023 for £35million but has lost his place of late to Pedro Neto and is more regularly shunted to the left to act as makeshift cover there.
As Arsenal continue to pursue several players at once, as is Andrea Berta's preference, football.london have taken a look at what Arsenal should be doing with regards to their attacking reinforcement.
Tom Coley
With the Williams saga coming to an end, or so it seems, Arsenal must act quickly. They cannot let things drag on again as they did last summer.
Leao and Rodrygo are high-profile names with a good record at the elite level but both have some concerns for the money they would cost. Leao simply does not contribute out of possession, and Rodrygo would command an enormous total package without having ever been the main forward at Madrid.
Which leads us to Madueke. On paper, turning to someone Chelsea are shifting away from is strange. However, Madueke has a lot of good attributes.
He is a relentless dribbler who constantly gets into the box. His is an active shot-taker and ranks well for his on-ball progression via carries. The Englishman remains inconsistent and often infuriating at times but has plenty of talent with a work ethic that has shown signs of improving.
If Mikel Arteta can hone his decision making then there is a good deal to be done here for around £50million.
Amie Wilson
It’s a difficult decision for Arsenal. For me, Rodrygo is probably the signing that makes the most sense, but the kind of money that has been mentioned, with some reports suggesting that Real Madrid are wanting a fee of €90million (£77m), that could cause Arsenal to walk away.
Then it’s looking at what other options there are Rafael Leao is expected to cost even more than Rodrygo, so that would put him out of the picture. Do Arsenal then turn to Noni Madueke?
It could be a good signing, as he has shown he has the quality to be successful in the Premier League, it’s the consistency that may be the problem. He would be cheaper than the other options, but would Chelsea also be willing to potentially strengthen a rival?
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke compares well to Arsenal's attackers and winger targets (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Hannah Pinnock
Now that Nico Williams is firmly out of the picture, it’s difficult to see where Arsenal turn next. Rodrygo would be an outstanding option, and the Gunners should arguably move heaven and earth to sign him if he becomes available, but the real question mark lies over his availability.
There have been so many conflicting reports in recent months about whether he wants to leave Real Madrid. Some suggest he’s frustrated with his game time and keen on a fresh challenge, while others claim he’s determined to prove himself to new head coach Xabi Alonso.
Price shouldn’t be an issue for a player of his calibre, but Arsenal must be cautious about getting drawn into a long-running saga if the player isn’t fully committed to a move. Instead, they should look to capitalise on other opportunities in the market.
Chelsea’s Noni Madueke is an intriguing option, particularly given his Premier League experience. Lyon’s Malick Fofana is also a highly rated talent attracting interest from several clubs, and the reported £45m fee seems more than reasonable considering his potential, and it shouldn't eat into their striker budget.
Joe Doyle
For me, it's clear that Arsenal's top priority has to be a No.9. Martin Zubimendi is all-but confirmed as a Gunner, so a deal for a top class striker should be the next one on the list.
That being said, reinforcements are required elsewhere - and it's clear another attacker is required. While it would surely be unprecedented for Arsenal to lose all three of their attackers for extended periods again next season, the fact is they need to be able to rotate more often.
It's unlikely to be a coincidence that all three of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli suffered hamstring injuries last year. They've all played a lot of football over the last two years.
Take a look at Liverpool's attacking options and you can see why they were so strong last season. The ability to rest and rotate players meant they could be kept fresh for longer and continue to compete on multiple fronts.
Arsenal need that option, and a strong back-up to Saka is arguably the next priority after a top class striker. The opposition know that he's the key man. If things weren't working out for him in the last couple of years, there was no real option to replace him from the bench.
There's talk of Madueke, but I think if they can get Rodrygo then they have to go for him. He can play off either flank which means added competition for both Saka and Martinelli, and hopefully improved performances for all (and a small but welcome headache every week for Mikel Arteta).