Arsenal's Transfer Blueprint: Six Critical Signings to Complete After Landing Viktor Gyokeres
Following three consecutive runner-up finishes in the Premier League, Arsenal are eager to make the crucial leap to championship glory.
Transitioning from second place to title winners demands flawless execution in the summer transfer window, and the north London club has been actively refining Mikel Arteta's roster.
Viktor Gyökeres has been brought in to address Arsenal's striker concerns, with the tall Swedish forward becoming their sixth summer acquisition. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke have both joined from London rivals Chelsea, while Christian Nørgaard has made the brief journey from Brentford to Stamford Bridge. Cristhian Mosquera and Martín Zubimendi have also been recruited from Spain.
However, additional work remains necessary. Several areas of Arsenal's squad still need strengthening, whether through new signings or player departures, and the Gunners cannot afford complacency during the remaining transfer period.
Here are six transactions Arsenal must finalize this summer.
Eberechi Eze
Arsenal have been consistently connected with acquiring a creative midfielder throughout the window, someone who can share the playmaking responsibilities with Martin Ødegaard. Ethan Nwaneri represents the future—and partially the present—but Arteta still needs a flexible option capable of delivering immediate impact through the middle.
Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze seems to be Arsenal's top choice for this position. They have regularly been associated with the 26-year-old throughout the summer after his impressive 14-goal and 12-assist campaign with the Eagles during their FA Cup-winning 2024–25 season, and few would dispute the Englishman's creativity, technical ability and scoring threat.
£60 million ($80.6 million) looks likely sufficient to obtain Eze's signature despite the attacking midfielder reportedly having a £68 million ($91.4 million) release clause in his existing contract. It would represent excellent value for one of the Premier League's most consistent creators.
William Saliba
More crucial than any summer acquisition would be guaranteeing William Saliba's long-term commitment. Alongside Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, the French defender stands as the Premier League's premier centre-back and has repeatedly demonstrated his outstanding athleticism and defensive awareness in north London. He represents a once-in-a-generation talent.
Saliba has been vital to Arsenal's defensively solid foundation in recent campaigns, developing an outstanding partnership with Gabriel. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old's current contract runs until 2027 and the Gunners are growing concerned amid substantial transfer speculation from Real Madrid, who have established themselves as consistent Premier League talent raiders in recent years.
Arsenal have already declared their position: Saliba is absolutely not available for transfer. But they will be keen to secure a written commitment from the defender to calm their concerns, while also safeguarding his market value and enabling Arteta to strategize for the future.
Gabriel Jesus
Gyökeres's arrival has relegated Gabriel Jesus further down the hierarchy. Fitness issues and missed chances have resulted in the Brazilian forfeiting his starting position to Kai Havertz, with the German expected to serve as Gyökeres's backup at the Emirates Stadium. Even Mikel Merino's solid performances as an emergency striker have diminished Jesus's standing.
Regrettably for Jesus, this leaves him as excess to requirements. The 28-year-old could potentially be transferred this summer as Arsenal seek to recover finances following substantial expenditure, with £200 million ($268.7 million) invested in talent while only £6.8 million ($9.1 million) generated through player departures.
The fee Arsenal could command for the injury-susceptible Jesus remains uncertain, but any amount would be gratefully received, particularly considering the striker allegedly earns £265,000 weekly at the Emirates.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko occupies a comparable situation to former Manchester City colleague Jesus. Previously a dependable starter and adaptable choice for Arteta, the Ukrainian is no longer required in north London as the Gunners pursue major honors. Arsenal have essentially moved beyond the 28-year-old, who managed only 15 Premier League outings last season.
Fulham and AC Milan are among the clubs reportedly interested in Zinchenko, though the Italian side has subsequently acquired Pervis Estupiñan at left-back. While Zinchenko's capability to operate in midfield makes him an attractive prospect, his valuation and salary expectations could prove challenging for potential buyers.
Fábio Vieira
Fábio Vieira has yet to accumulate fifty appearances for Arsenal despite joining the club back in 2022. The Portuguese midfielder has found it difficult to secure playing time in the center, with Ødegaard's excellence keeping him on the margins of Arteta's squad.
A temporary return to childhood club Porto last season provided him with more regular opportunities—he netted five goals and contributed six assists across 42 matches—but the Portuguese side are reluctant to make Vieira's move permanent this summer.
It's inevitable that the 25-year-old's disappointing tenure at the Emirates will conclude, and Arsenal could genuinely benefit from the funds his departure would generate this summer. Once again, locating a buyer will prove challenging.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Another midfielder who has struggled to establish himself at Arsenal, Albert Sambi Lokonga's destiny certainly lies elsewhere from north London. Disappointing loan spells at Palace, Luton Town and Sevilla have severely damaged the 25-year-old's standing and, most problematically for Arsenal, his market value.
Arsenal will be unable to command a substantial transfer fee for Lokonga this summer, but he represents another player they must eliminate from their payroll before the window closes. The Gunners must clear the surplus players to support their quest for Premier League and European success.