The dust has settled on a non-stop summer transfer window as all our teams shaped their squads for the 2025/26 season.
A total of eight players came through the doors on the men’s team, with four doing the same for Renée Slegers’ side.
Here, we take a look at what went down over the transfer period - from announcements to unveilings to emotional farewells and much, much more!
homecomings
North London is where the heart is - and that certainly seemed to be the case for three of our summer signings across the men's and women's teams.
Chloe Kelly kicked things off when she made her move permanent on July 2. Having played five years in our academy and three years with the first team, Chloe departed in 2018 for Everton.
Seven years on from leaving, and after an impressive loan spell from Manchester City, which culminated in Champions League glory, Chloe put pen to paper on a long-term deal. Her summer got even better as she went on to help England retain the European Championships in Switzerland.
On the men's side, Noni Madueke also found his home in north London when he joined us from Chelsea in July. The winger grew up in Barnet, playing for acadamies at Crystal Palace, Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven before making the move to Stamford Bridge in 2022/23 season. During his announcement, we delved into his return to the north of the capital and his ambitions for the future, watch his announcement video below!
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In August, we had one last homecoming as Eberechi Eze made his return to north London. Ebere spent time in our academy before leaving as a 13-year-old. After success at QPR and Crystal Palace, the midfielder was welcomed home by a legend, who made a similar move back in the 1990s, Ian Wright.
Wrighty featured in our announcement video, with the soundtrack 'Indecision' by Sampha, which went viral as the 27-year-old became our new number 10. The two former Crystal Palace players spoke at length during Eze's announcement, going through his old Arsenal jerseys kept by his mother.
There was one last big unveiling for Ebere as he was brought onto the pitch, with Sampha's track playing in the background, in our 5-0 win over Leeds United.
As you may have spotted with the majority of our announcements, there was a strong connection to north London. Drummer Femi Koleoso from jazz group Ezra Collective featured in our announcement of Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who joined us from Real Sociedad in July.
Rapper Kojey Radical, artist and Arsenal in the Community alumnus Stazzy were also involved in transfer announcements for the club.
Read more Go behind the scenes as Zubimendi signs
Record breakers
While returning home was a theme of the summer, we also showed our intent with two big signings for both the men's and women's teams.
In July, Viktor Gyokeres joined us from Sporting CP in Portugal as the striker made his dream move to Emirates Stadium.
The forward has taken on the number 14 jersey and was unveiled during our pre-season tour in Singapore to the delight of supporters. With the excitement reaching fever pitch, fans flocked to shops to pick up their Gyokeres jersey to mark the arrival of the Sweden international. As such, we broke records for the number of Gyokeres jerseys sold. Viktor repaid that faith in his home debut, netting twice against Leeds United.
We matched that ambition in the women's side as we signed Canadian international Olivia Smith from Liverpool. The 21-year-old shone in his maiden season in England, picking up the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award after netting nine times in 2024/25. That eye for goal continued as the attacker stole the show in our 4-1 win over London city Lionesses, netting from range to get us back on level terms.
Our first piece of business came in the shape of Spanish international Kepa Arrizabalaga, with the goalkeeper joining from Chelsea. Experience Premier League midfielder Christian Norgaard joined us from Brentford, where he had been captain for the last two seasons.
As we headed out to the Far East to take on AC Milan, Newcastle and Tottenham, Cristhian Mosquera became our fifth summer signing when the talented Spaniard joined us from Valencia. Cristhian has settled into life quickly in N5, putting in a confident performance against Liverpool at Anfield, having made his debut in the victory over Leeds a week prior.
There was room for one last addition as versatile defender Piero Hincapie on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The Ecuadorian became our eighth summer signing of the summer, the busiest our men's team has been since the summer of 2011, when Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker joined the club.
On the women's side, Goalkeeper Anneke Borbe joined from Wolfsburg to help bolster our goalkeeping ranks.
Read more Hincapie assessed: "He will be loved by the fans"
hale end heroes
It wasn’t just new arrivals that dominated the headlines of this transfer window, but a host of our players committed themselves to the club for the future.
After sparkling breakthrough seasons, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri both signed long-term deals. The Hale End academy products produced a host of incredible moments in 2024/25 and will continue their journeys in N5.
Myles was given a huge surprise during his contract extension. As he showed his nan around N5, going through the dressing room and all the behind the scenes, MLS was greeted by a host of close family and friends that made his journey to the first team. Press play on the video above to find out all the details.
Ethan took us on a trip down memory lane, going past all the spots he used to play football with family and friends before finishing up at Hale End, where his journey with us began.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Magalhaes also signed his new contract. The Brazilian committed his future having first joined us in September 2020. The defender has become a mainstay in Mikel Arteta's side, playing over 200 times across all competitions. Big Gabi has also had an eye for goal, scoring 20 in total, including goals at Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham.
On the women’s team, Alessia Russo signed a contract extension. The striker joined us in 2023 from Manchester United, netting 36 times in 72 appearances so far.
The Lioness had a season to remember in 2024/25, picking up the Women's Super League golden boot for her 12 goals in 20 appearances as we finished in second place. Less also netted eight times in our successful Champions League run, including twice in our comeback win over Real Madrid in the quarter-final and once in the semi-final against Lyon.
During her announcement, Alessia took time to meet with some young gunners, to find out their opinions of the striker.
farewell to champions
While players come in, it was also time to say goodbye to some stars that have had a big impact during their time in N5.
After seven years with us, Lia Walti joined Juventus on a permanent deal. The Swiss star won three trophies in her time in north London, including the WSL in 2019, the League Cup and the Champions League, making almost 200 appearances.
Swedish duo Lina Hurtig and Amanda Ilestedt also departed, having joined us in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Teyah Goldie and Freya Godfrey both left to join the London City Lionesses. The pair had been on loan at the newly-promoted club in 2024/25. Laura Wienroither was our final permanent departure after three years in red, joining fellow WSL sign Manchester City.
On the men’s team, the likes of Jorginho, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu saw their contracts come to an end.
Nuno Tavares joined Lazio on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell in Serie A. Attacker Marquinhos departed for Cruzeiro in Brazil and Albert Sambi Lokonga was a deadline day departure to newly promoted Bundesliga side Hamburg.
Read more Tierney: "A happy goodbye, I loved every minute"
building on success
A total of five men’s team players left the club for the 2025/26 season. Karl Hein was the first to make his move. The Estonian international joined Bundesliga side Werder Bremen following his loan spell with Real Valladolid in 2024/25.
Four more players departed on loans on deadline day. Jakub Kiwior joined FC Porto after an impressive 2024/25 with us. Oleksandr Zinchenko linked up with Nottingham Forest as Reiss Nelson made his second west London move in as many seasons, this time joining Brentford.
Finally, Fabio Vieira departed on loan, teaming up with permanent departee Sambi Lokonga at Hamburg. Ismael Kabia and Lucas Nygaard departed on loan from our academy side, joining Shrewsbury Town and Danish outfit Brabrand, respectively.
Following on from her incredible performances at the Euros, Michelle Agyemang is heading to Brighton for a second loan spell on the south coast. Michelle was named Young Player of the Tournament as she helped the Lionesses defend their crown. Rosa Kafaji is also joining Michelle at Brighton on a season-long loan.
There were six more loanees leaving us. Laila Harbert has joined American side Portland Thorns until January 2026, Naomi Williams is heading to Bristol City, Vivienne Lia to Nottingham Forest, Jessie Gale will be at Portsmouth for the season, Maddy Earl has gone to Ipswich and Cecily Wellesley-Smith has joined Leicester City.
looking to the future
Securing the future success of the club is also at the forefront of our work. Academy manager Per Mertesacker and the team have been busy this summer, with nine players signing their first professional contract from our academy.
Will Sweet, Marcell Washington, Louie Copley, Cam’ron Ismail, Daniel Oyetunde, Louis Zecevic-John, Khari Ranson and Jack Porter all committed to developing their games in north London.
We also welcomed a host of first year scholars on a special night at Emirates Stadium. The evening gave 13 of our brightest the opportunity to celebrate their two-year scholarship contract with loved ones in N5, where they'll be hoping to ply their trade in years to come.
Jack Talbot, Marli Salmon, Patrick Stachow, Joshua Tahou, Abraham Owusu-Gyasi, Josiah King, Teshaun Murisa, Maalik Hashi, Saurap Sampang, Bowen Phillips, Brando Bailey-Joseph, Marley Frohock and Callan Hamill all signed their scholarships - we wish them all the best in their first year at the Sobha Realty Training Centre from Hale End!
Read more Adam Birchall excited for new under-18s season
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