Arsenal have been busy in the transfer window but lacking in one area could cost Andrea Berta providing Mikel Arteta with what he needs to win the Premier League title
Scott Trotter is a sports writer for Mirror Sport and has been part of the team since January 2024. Scott joined the site having previously covered everything Chelsea at football.london and was a regular at Stamford Bridge and Cobham to see the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel up close.
Andrea Berta
Andrea Berta still has work to do for Arsenal's transfer window to be a success
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
For some, it has been a successful summer in the transfer window for Arsenal. It has been the year Mikel Arteta finally landed a goalscorer in Viktor Gyokeres — a key piece of the jigsaw in ensuring a sustained assault for a trophy.
And the Gunners, under sporting director Andrea Berta for the first time, have ensured plenty of new faces in the dressing room before the start of the season. Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all arrived at the Emirates as Arsenal have splashed out close to £300million.
There will be hope they can all hit the ground running to turn the team from perennial runners-up into Premier League champions. From the outside, it looks a good blend of of potential, experience and top-flight know-how but success can only be assessed after performances and results on the pitch
The first team dressing room might just be getting a little cosy as new bodies take their places at London Colney. Arteta appears to fancy squeezing one more player in too if the Gunners can find another winger to add depth on the left.
Rodrygo has been linked with a switch from Real Madrid, while Eberechi Eze looked to be a primary target until Ethan Nwaneri signed a contract extension. Regardless, the consensus is that the club's efforts require some boosting by sales with one eye kept on balancing the books.
And amidst what appears to be an astute window of incoming signings, Arsenal's struggle has been seeing players head in the opposite direction. Players seemingly destined for the exit in Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Albert Sambi Lokonga all remain at the club, with uncertainty over the fees they can bring in.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard were both at one stage expected to depart. The latter has signed a new contract, albeit it not an extension, while the Ukraine international looks set to remain as clubs passed up on the opportunity to secure his signature, with one year reaining on his contract.
It is looking increasingly difficult for Arsenal to land a significant fee for either in the future, and neither looks set for substantial playing time given the business Arsenal have conducted. It has been a familiar path as the north London side said farewell to the likes of Kieran Tierney and Jorginho this summer for nothing.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (R) Arsenal new signing Viktor Gyokeres with Sporting Director Andrea Berta at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 27, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal completed a deal for Viktor Gyokeres this summer after Mikel Arteta waited for a goalscorer
And perhaps this is an area where Arsenal still lag behind their rivals, though it will be of little concern if a successful season is achieved. But while Arsenal's pursestrings are a little tighter in the search of another player, Liverpool can still consider splashing a record fee on Alexander Isak.
After already dishing out in excess of £300m, the Reds have raked in plenty in return. Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Ben Doak all brought in significant financing with almost £200m already back at Anfield — a figure that only looks stronger in terms of profit and sustainability rules as outgoing funds are spread over the length of contracts.
Chelsea have performed in a similar manner and bewilderingly managed to record profits on players such as Joao Felix, Lesley Ugochukwu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Blues continue to be outstanding salespeople, though do always operate with the risk of holding on to players they no longer want with a number of deals to do before the end of the window.
Joao Felix
Chelsea achieved a significant fee for Joao Felix despite the player failing to break into their plans
Even Manchester City have found some success, as James McAtee moved onto Nottingham Forest and Yan Couto to Borussia Dortmund. They have burned themselves in the past with the sale of Cole Palmer but still have the development of players they can earn funds from.
Arsenal's transfer business looks good, and the players they are bringing through the academy might look even better. They shouldn't allow their ability to sell hold them back.
The club has operated well to be able to spend significantly in recent seasons and top clubs generally don't tend to be sellers per se. But given Arsenal's tenure in the Premier League it does not necessarily sit right that club's record sale only surpasses that of Burnley, Sunderland and Brentford due to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains exit to Liverpool.
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