Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal supporters not to lose sight of the strength of his squad after the club failed to land another elite attacker before the transfer window closed.
Arsenal pursued major attacking targets including Vinícius Junior, Julián Alvarez and Morgan Rogers but finished the summer without completing another blockbuster forward deal.
That has created questions over whether Arteta has enough depth after Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard all left.
Arteta, however, believes Arsenal are better equipped than last season.
The Guardian reports that the Spaniard pointed towards a “reverse bucket list”, arguing supporters can become so focused on what they still want that they overlook what is already available.
Arsenal certainly possess significantly greater depth in several positions.
Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa were major additions, while Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino give Arteta an impressive collection of midfield options.
Supporters can see the complete make-up of Arteta’s senior group through our permanent Arsenal squad guide.
Arteta admits Arsenal attack still has something to prove
The attacking picture is less straightforward.
Christos Tzolis arrived for £34million, but Martinelli, Jesus and Trossard were all sold while Ethan Nwaneri joined Borussia Dortmund on loan.
Arteta accepts Arsenal must now demonstrate that the left side of the attack has actually improved.
Eze is expected to play there more regularly, while Tzolis started Arsenal’s opening two Premier League games.
Our full audit of Arsenal’s £198.5m summer rebuild identified that reduced attacking depth as the biggest gamble left by an otherwise impressive window.
Arsenal did try to solve it.
The Guardian says the club offered £80m for Rogers before refusing to go higher, while Chelsea eventually completed a £117m deal.
We examined why that decision could become particularly uncomfortable in our feature on Arsenal’s Morgan Rogers transfer call.
Rogers now arrives at the Emirates Stadium with Chelsea on Sunday.
Arteta insists Arsenal did everything possible to complete their preferred deals and believes the squad remains strong enough to compete.
The next challenge is proving that on the pitch.
Arsenal have won their opening two league games without conceding and their complete schedule can be followed throughout the season through our Arsenal fixtures and results hub.
Chelsea will provide the first major examination of whether Arteta was right to trust what he already has.
Arsenal news talking points: Timber boost, Chelsea warning and huge Arteta decision
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Morgan Rogers returns to Emirates as Arsenal confront summer transfer decision
Morgan Rogers returns to Emirates as Arsenal confront summer transfer decision