Arsenal have had a slow start to the summer transfer window, and have been warned that they could be up against an impossible task in signing one marquee man
06:15, 04 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta looks dejected
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Mikel Arteta could face problems getting players he wants this summer(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
Stefan Schwarz has warned Arsenal that they will have no luck in trying to sign Paris Saint-Germain players this summer, given the Ligue 1 titans will not want to sell to a team they consider a Champions League rival.
The Gunners were a dominant force in 2025/26, Mikel Arteta guiding the club to its first Premier League title since 2004. Elsewhere, the North London elite gave an incredibly good account of themselves in domestic cup competitions.
Not only did they make it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they suffered a 2-1 upset to Southampton, but they also managed to book their place in the EFL Cup against Manchester City. the latter also unfortunately ended in a cruel 2-0 loss at Wembley.
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Arsenal also made it to the Champions League final in May, following an incredible campaign in Europe. And while they looked the better team against PSG on the night, they ultimately walked away from the Puskas Arena empty-handed via a cruel penalty shootout which finished 4-3 in Les Parisiens' favour.
And despite their loss, Schwarz, speaking exclusively to football.london via Bovada World Cup odds, believes that Arsenal may have shot themselves in the foot with a stellar performance in Europe's premier footballing competition. Explaining that a stellar defence won his former side the league, Schwarz said: "That's why Arsenal won the league, they were solid in defence and a good goalkeeper as well.
"A fantastic goalkeeper. They give you confidence and trust as defenders. Maybe you can push the line a little bit higher up, but you know that the keeper deals with what he has to deal with."
However, the Swedish 57-year-old added that there could still be room for improvement a little further up the pitch. He added: "I believe Arsenal could be more threatening when they attack more clinically.
Bradley Barcola looks
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Arsenal's pursuit of Bradley Barcola may be fruitless(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
"It's always difficult when you play against teams that are in a low block and very compact. We're talking about world-class players and world-class defenders in all of the teams.
"But that's what they're going to be like next season. It will not be easier. It will even be harder.
"We need to bring in some with striking power, clinical finishing to get another level. You always need to improve, even as a champion. You always need to improve for the next season."
Stefan Schwarz speaks with football.london
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Stefan Schwarz spoke with football.london(Image: football.london)
When asked if there were any players in particular he would be looking at, Schwarz replied: "There are some - some play in PSG, if we talk. But I don't think they will sell to a rival who competes for Champions League titles."
It comes as Arsenal are among a number of clubs who have been linked with a move for Bradley Barcola this summer, albeit, any chance of a deal materialising looks incredibly unlikely. Reports suggest that scouts from the club watched the 23-year-old winger impress for France against Sweden at the World Cup, despite Les Bleus telling the Gunners that their left-winger is not for sale.
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Further expressing that point, it is understood that PSG have slapped an asking price of £116m on Barcola this summer - a fee that may prove too hot to handle.