Arsenal can still pull off a stunning deal on the last day of the transfer window to give Mikel Arteta his perfect starting XI
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Mikel Arteta, Manager / Head Coach of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal have spent wisely this summer(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
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The 2026/27 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Arsenal. The Premier League champions have had a transfer window that, on the surface, looks measured and maybe even slightly unremarkable - but dig a little deeper and it tells the story of a club that knows what it is doing.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has been selective in his pursuits this summer. Arsenal walked away from deals for Morgan Rogers, Sandro Tonali and Jeremy Monga rather than overpay, which frustrated fans at times.
But, as the summer wore on, their transfer plan became clearer, with each new signing more impressive than the last. After sealing Piero Hinapie’s permanent move and signing Illan Meslier as a free agent early on, Christos Tzolis came in for £34m, Bruno Guimaraes for £75m and Ezri Konsa for £55m, bringing their transfer spending to around £200m.
To help fund it all, the club have moved on Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira. And there is crucially still money in the bank, with Mikel Arteta and Berta wanting to spend it on one player above all others.
Julian Alvarez has been Arsenal's primary target over the past month. The forward stated he wanted to leave Atletico Madrid at the start of the window, though he made no secret of the fact that Barcelona was his preferred destination.
That deal has since fallen through, and with Atletico fans turning on him, the 26-year-old's options are running out. Arsenal are now pushing hard to sign him before the window closes, with an asking price of around £128m being mooted.
Goalkeeper
David Raya looks on before an Arsenal game
David Raya is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe(Image: Marc Atkins)
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It is hard to find any weakness in goal for the Gunners as long as David Raya is fit. The Spaniard has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for three years running, winning the Golden Glove each time. He is calm, authoritative and a key part of how Arsenal play out from the back. No debate here.
Defence
Since taking charge in late 2019, Arteta has always been meticulous about his defence, and the results speak for themselves. Arsenal won the title last season off by keeping things tight at the back and not conceding. Even when their attack was out of sorts, a single set-piece goal was sometimes enough to clinch games thanks to the contributions of the defenders.
That defensive solidity has been tested this summer, however. William Saliba picked up a back injury that is expected to keep him out for several months, which is why Arsenal moved for Konsa. The England international can play centre-back or full-back and gives Arteta options at the back.
William Saliba
William Saliba is currently out with a back issue(Image: Getty Images)
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When Saliba is back fit, he is expected to go straight back into the starting line-up. The Frenchman is arguably the best centre-back and even an in-form Konsa is unlikely to match his level of assured defending and composure.
To his left, Gabriel Magalhaes is a commanding presence who wins headers, makes blocks and chips in with goals from set-pieces. Riccardo Calafiori flanks him at left-back and provides a different kind of threat - the Italian is always looking to drive forward and get on the ball in advanced areas, which gives Arsenal an extra body in midfield phases.
At right-back, Ben White has played well and will continue to be a key figure. But Jurrien Timber is working his way back from injury and will be pushing for a starting place once he returns.
Midfield
Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal celebrate progressing to the final of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 after the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England.
Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly are Arsenal's best midfielders(Image: Getty)
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It took Arteta a while to find the right midfield balance last season. Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice played alongside each other for much of the campaign, but the partnership never quite clicked in an offensive sense. They struggled to dominate games or break teams down when the opposition sat deep.
The solution came from an unlikely source. Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly came into the side towards the end of last season and changed things around. At 19, he plays with a maturity well beyond his age, and his ability on the ball works perfectly with Rice alongside him. The two of them are expected to start the majority of games this season, with Guimaraes rotating in when needed.
In the playmaking role, Martin Odegaard is back to his best. The Arsenal captain is one of the best players in the league when he is at it, and right now he very much is. Eberechi Eze has the quality to play in that position too, but he will have to wait his turn while Odegaard is in this kind of form.
Attack
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.
Bukayo Saka is back to his best(Image: Getty )
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This is where Arsenal really struggled last year. Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz both missed large chunks of the season through injury. Without them, Arteta was relying on Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, which largely did not work and Arsenal almost paid the price.
Saka is back now and, having managed an Achilles problem throughout the World Cup, looks fully fit and firing on the right wing. He is still one of the first names on the team sheet.
On the left, Tzolis has hit the ground running. The Greek winger has contributed a goal or assist in every game since signing, and Arsenal fans have taken to him quickly. He is direct, nifty in tight spaces and makes good decisions, making him a step up from what the club had in that role before. Eze can also cover there when needed.
Which leads us to the position that everyone is talking about. Arsenal need a striker, and they believe Alvarez is the answer.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball while under pressure from Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez would be a dream signing for the Gunners(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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When the Gunners faced Atletico at the Metropolitano last season, the difference between Alvarez and what Arsenal had available up front was stark. The World Cup winner trained under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and it shows.
Alvarez understands the game at a level that very few strikers do. He can drop deep and link play, hold the ball up and bring others in, or run in behind and finish. He scored goals of every type at City and continued to do so at Atletico.
Arsenal have come close in the Champions League in recent years, losing to Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta knows they need a player who can make the difference at that level - Alvarez is one of very few strikers in the world who fits that description.
The question is whether he can be persuaded. His family reportedly had difficulties with visas during his time in Manchester and he is keen to stay in Spain. However, Barcelona could not get the deal done and things have turned sour in Madrid. If Arsenal can get him over the line before the window shuts, they will have a squad with a genuine claim to competing for the biggest prizes in Europe.
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