Arsenal transfer window plans are approaching a decisive final week, with Gabriel Martinelli’s potential departure, uncertainty over a new winger and the futures of Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all requiring attention.
Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have already strengthened several important positions. Bruno Guimaraes has arrived from Newcastle United, Ezri Konsa has joined from Aston Villa and Christos Tzolis has made an encouraging start following his move from Club Brugge.
However, incoming business has not resolved every question. Several possible departures remain interconnected, while the availability of preferred targets could force Arsenal to reconsider their priorities.
The Premier League confirms the summer transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Tuesday, 1 September, leaving Arsenal just over a week to establish their final squad.
These are the five biggest decisions still facing Arteta and Berta.
Gabriel Martinelli sale requires agreement on Arsenal’s terms
Martinelli’s potential move to Al Hilal appears the most advanced significant departure remaining.
🚨🔵⚪️ Al Hilal are getting closer to Gabriel Martinelli deal done after club to club talks with Arsenal at final stages.
Fee around £50/55m discussed and #AFC prepared to accept and sell Martinelli.
Talks on personal terms ongoing, Gabriel to make final decision soon. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/8NfvHfv75l
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2026
The Brazil international has missed Arsenal’s opening competitive fixtures, while talks have continued over a deal worth approximately £50million. talkSPORT reports Al Hilal have offered £47million plus a further £4million in potential add-ons.
That would represent a substantial return for Arsenal, but the fee is not their only consideration. ReadArsenal reported this morning that Arsenal want a sell-on clause included in any Martinelli agreement.
Such a clause would allow the club to retain an interest in the winger’s future value rather than treating the proposed deal as a straightforward cash transaction.
Martinelli’s situation also carries a wider squad consequence. Arsenal have already allowed Leandro Trossard to leave, meaning another exit would remove two established attacking options from last season’s group.
For Berta, the central question is whether the financial package justifies the recruitment pressure created elsewhere.
A sizeable transfer fee would strengthen Arsenal’s position in the market. Completing the sale without identifying suitable cover, however, would leave Arteta more exposed across a campaign involving the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.
Kenan Yildiz injury complicates search for another winger
Tzolis has quickly justified Arsenal’s decision to sign him. His performances against Manchester City and Coventry City have offered immediate evidence that he can threaten defenders from the left.
However, his arrival was initially connected to another departure. Sky Sports reports Arsenal signed Tzolis for £34million as a replacement for Trossard, who joined Besiktas for £17million.
That distinction matters. Replacing Trossard does not automatically solve the separate problem created if Martinelli also leaves.
Eberechi Eze can operate from the left, but he also gives Arteta an important central creative option. Noni Madueke provides attacking depth, although his more natural position is on the opposite flank.
Kenan Yildiz had emerged as a possible solution, but circumstances have changed significantly. Italian news agency ANSA reports the Juventus forward suffered a foot injury against Frosinone and could face several weeks out.
ReadArsenal has already examined how Yildiz’s injury complicates Arsenal’s search for Martinelli’s replacement.
Juventus were reluctant to consider a sale even before the medical setback. An injured player who may not contribute immediately is an even less convincing solution to an immediate squad shortage.
Arsenal must therefore decide whether to pursue another specialist winger, rely on existing versatility or reconsider the timing of Martinelli’s departure.
Gabriel Jesus exit depends on Arsenal’s striker options
Jesus represents another possible departure, although his situation is different from Martinelli’s.
The Brazilian has entered the final year of his contract, with Napoli among the clubs linked with a potential move. Arsenal’s valuation is understood to be approximately £20million.
However, Arsenal will only consider allowing Jesus to leave if an appropriate replacement is available.
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres already provide established centre-forward options. Havertz started and scored against Coventry, while Gyokeres offers a different physical profile and gives Arteta another recognised striker.
Selling Jesus without adding anyone would still narrow the manager’s flexibility. Havertz can also operate deeper, meaning an injury or positional reshuffle could quickly alter the apparent depth.
Julián Álvarez has been mentioned as a possible alternative, but there is little justification for presenting that move as straightforward.
The Guardian reports Álvarez wants to join Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid remain determined to resist his departure.
Arsenal may remain attentive to any change in circumstances, but another club is currently the player’s preferred destination. That distinction is essential when assessing whether Jesus can realistically leave.
If an elite striker becomes available on acceptable terms, Arsenal could revisit the position. Without that development, keeping Jesus may be more sensible than reducing attacking depth immediately after a title-winning campaign.
Ethan Nwaneri needs the right loan rather than another gamble
🚨 @HandofArsenal: “Arsenal are busy with multiple offers from clubs inside & outside of the Premier League for Ethan Nwaneri. I was told if they loan him, EVERYTHING will be studied because of how bad the last loan went, even though Mikel Arteta thinks Nwaneri grew a lot as a… pic.twitter.com/Oeli5Tb7Hs
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 23, 2026
Nwaneri’s future presents a different challenge because Arsenal must balance immediate squad requirements against the development of a 19-year-old academy graduate.
RB Leipzig have revived their interest, with Arsenal currently favouring a loan over a permanent transfer.
A temporary move would protect the club’s long-term interest while potentially giving the midfielder regular senior minutes. However, the quality of the opportunity matters more than the reputation of the destination.
Nwaneri’s previous spell at Marseille did not deliver consistent involvement. He made nine Ligue 1 appearances, scoring twice and registering one assist, but did not establish himself as an automatic starter.
Arsenal must therefore assess whether Leipzig can provide a defined role, reliable minutes and a suitable tactical environment.
Premier League interest could offer another route, potentially allowing Nwaneri to develop closer to home and against opponents more familiar to Arteta’s staff.
There is also a direct connection to Arsenal’s attacking recruitment. If Martinelli leaves and another winger does not arrive, retaining a versatile young attacker could become more attractive.
Nwaneri’s best position may not be wide on the left, but his ability to cover attacking midfield and operate from the right affects the broader balance of the squad.
The right loan could accelerate his development. Another move without a clear pathway would risk repeating the disappointment of his time in France.
Myles Lewis-Skelly offers Arsenal more than a transfer fee
Lewis-Skelly’s position should be viewed separately from Nwaneri’s.
🚨🔴⚪️ Mikel Arteta: “Myles Lewis-Skelly STAYS. I am 100% sure”. pic.twitter.com/mN0pd8ASgy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2026
The midfielder started Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City before retaining his place against Coventry. His involvement suggests Arteta sees him as part of the immediate first-team picture.
Manchester United continue to monitor Lewis-Skelly, with Arsenal’s valuation understood to exceed £50million.
However, a valuation does not mean a transfer is close. There is no confirmed agreement, and Arteta has given a considerably stronger indication of his preferred outcome.
Lewis-Skelly can operate at left-back or in midfield, giving Arteta cover in two areas while maintaining a valuable connection between the academy and first team.
Selling him would provide a significant fee, but replacing his tactical versatility and long-term potential could prove substantially more difficult.
Guimaraes’ £75million arrival has already strengthened Arsenal’s midfield options, yet Lewis-Skelly’s ability to play multiple roles remains useful across a demanding season.
Arsenal do not need to treat every valuable academy graduate as a source of immediate income. In Lewis-Skelly’s situation, retaining an established contributor may be the stronger football decision.
Arsenal transfer window rules add Champions League complication
The domestic transfer cut-off is not the only date Arsenal must consider.
UEFA confirms Champions League squads must be submitted by 23:59 CET on Wednesday, 2 September.
Clubs can register up to 25 players on List A, with eight places reserved for locally trained players. Younger players may qualify for List B if they meet UEFA’s age and registration requirements.
Those rules make squad balance more significant than simply counting arrivals and departures.
UEFA also allows a limited replacement mechanism for a long-term outfield injury, but any replacement must already have been registered with the club before the List A submission cut-off.
That detail could become relevant while William Saliba remains unavailable, although eligibility would depend on the specific medical and registration conditions.
The overall picture is increasingly clear. Arsenal have already addressed central midfield and defence, but the remaining decisions concern whether sales leave sufficient attacking cover and whether valuable young players should be protected.
Martinelli’s departure, a replacement winger, Jesus’s future, Nwaneri’s next move and Lewis-Skelly’s position are separate questions. The challenge for Arteta and Berta is ensuring their answers still leave Arsenal with a coherent squad when both registration windows close.
Arsenal’s £50m Gabriel Martinelli sale could leave Arteta short
Arsenal’s £50m Gabriel Martinelli sale could leave Arteta short
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One Ezri Konsa stat explains Arsenal’s surprising £55m transfer