Arsenal are set to be active in the transfer window in 2026 as Mikel Arteta looks to build a dynasty in North London after their sensational start to the season.
Arteta's "purpose" is to win trophies with Arsenal
Arsenal will begin their FA Cup campaign with a third-round tie at Portsmouth on Sunday still fighting on all four fronts.
Arteta’s side have a six-point Premier League lead and they are the only team in the Champions League to have won all six of their matches so far.
“We want that one for sure (the FA Cup) and all the big ones,” said Arteta. “And that’s what we are chasing and that’s the purpose of this team.
“At the end, we get judged for what we do today. Last week is not important. We will get judged for what we are able to do at the end of the season.
“One thing is the trophies for our football clubs and many other things that you have to do in a football club, especially in the situation we are in.
“I don’t expect that. I’m really happy where I am with the people that I work with and hopefully at least they know that we will give our very best to try to win as much as possible.”
With such a congested schedule across multiple competitions, the Gunners are said to be pursuing new options in defence now that the transfer window is open, with experienced targets like Marc Guehi balanced out by prospects such as Borussia Dortmund teenager Romeo Ritter.
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One area the Gunners have not been linked with new signings so far in 2026 is in midfield, and David Ornstein has now shared exactly why that is.
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Indeed, Ornstein discussed the future of Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson on Friday, telling The Athletic that despite links to the England international, Arsenal are actually the only big club not in the mix for his signature.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest-1
"All the top clubs like him and most of them will be in the mix," the respected reporter said, before revealing why Arsenal will not get involved when the race ramps up this summer.
"Maybe with the exception of Arsenal, they're the ones who have a full midfield."
Arteta certainly does have plenty of options in the centre of the park, with Martin Odegaard back in form, Declan Rice arguably the best midfielder in the world, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino thriving and plenty of depth provided by experienced figures like
Christian Nørgaard and younger options such as Ethan Nwaneri.
And, considering Ornstein states Anderson could cost £100m this summer, it seems unlikely Andrea Berta and Co. will designate that sort of outlay to a position of such strength.