Arsenal are planning major summer signings as Mikel Arteta looks to regroup following defeat in the Champions League final
09:45, 01 Jun 2026
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - MAY 30: Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal FC looks dejected after the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta has big plans for the summer(Image: Sebastian Frej, Getty Images)
Arsenal are set to make attacking reinforcements a top priority as part of a broader squad overhaul following their agonising Champions League final defeat. Mikel Arteta is said to have earmarked a left winger, striker, right-back and a new midfielder as the positions he wants to strengthen in over the summer.
The Gunners were knocked out on penalties by reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday evening, after the match ended 1-1 following extra-time. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel both failed from the spot, leaving Arsenal heartbroken two decades on from their only previous Champions League final appearance, a defeat to Barcelona.
Despite the bitter ending in Budapest, it has still been a remarkable season for Arsenal, who secured their first Premier League title in 22 years earlier this month.
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In the wake of Saturday's defeat to PSG, reports have emerged of ambitious transfer plans designed to propel the club to further heights under Mikel Arteta next season.
The Athletic's David Ornstein told TNT Sports: "The number nine position is interesting. A penny for the thoughts of Victor Gyokeres tonight, his first season, and he helped them to this final and then was put on the bench.
"Then the left-sided attack is a big priority for them, and they've been looking at it for a few years, and I think they may be the summer where they really go for something. They've got the options there."
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 20: Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League Final 2026 match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa FC at Besiktas Park on May 20, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Alex Livesey - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
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Morgan Rogers is being eyed by Arsenal(Image: Alex Livesey - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images))
He continued: "They want a six/eight midfielder. They want to strengthen at right-back as well.
"So when you tally up what they've got to do, you could see that outlay in the market from last summer repeated or even exceeded."
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail claim that Arteta has acknowledged he needs an upgrade on the left and will be targeting a new forward, midfielder and right back.
It is understood Arsenal are amongst several top clubs vying for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers this summer, with the 23-year-old versatile enough to operate as a left-sided forward or in the No 10 role.
The same report states that while the club have money to spend, they will be looking at exits to balance the books. Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus have all been great servants but are four big earners who Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for.
Last summer saw the Gunners splash significant funds on Gyokeres and Eze to strengthen their attacking options, though both began the Champions League final as substitutes, with Kai Havertz netting Arsenal's sole goal after being selected to spearhead the attack instead of the former.
Arteta has admitted that some important decisions lie in wait. "We start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level," he said.
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"And we're going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it's going to demand to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart."
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