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Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal "100% ticked" all the necessary boxes during the summer transfer window, despite lingering concerns over a possible shortage of attacking options.
The Gunners strengthened across multiple positions, beginning by making Piero Hincapié's loan move permanent, before bringing in Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimarães, and Ezri Konsa.
The club also boosted their finances by offloading seven players for approximately $157 million (£116 million) before add-ons—a haul that included a record-breaking sale of Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta Hints at Frustration Beneath Surface
The overriding narrative from the window, however, was Arsenal's failure to secure a top-tier left winger, having pursued the likes of Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, and Vinícius Júnior. Striker Julián Álvarez also made it clear he preferred a move to Barcelona over a switch to the Emirates.
Arteta appeared to subtly acknowledge missing out on that caliber of player in his first press conference following the close of the transfer window. Even if everything was "100% ticked … the outcome can be different to what you expect, but the intention is certainly there, which is what I value most."
The commitment was there, even if the results didn't follow. Effort alone doesn't always guarantee success.
When pressed on Arsenal's failure to sign a winger, Arteta dismissed the criticism as "just opinions." The Spaniard appears unwilling to dwell on what might have been. "The window is closed, and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad and not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now. That's it, and that's my main responsibility."
Yet beneath the composed exterior, there is at least a trace of disappointment.
Do Arsenal Have Enough Attackers?
Martinelli has departed, joining Al Hilal, leaving Tzolis as the only natural left winger in the squad following Leandro Trossard's exit. On paper, Arsenal look thin in attack, though Eberechi Eze has previously operated on the left flank. Noni Madueke can fill in if needed, while newly signed academy prospect James Scanlon will be eyeing an unexpectedly open door to first-team football.
"I understand the point of view as well, but we have to understand as well the amount of minutes that those players played and the ones that were injured last year, especially in the first six months," Arteta said. "The data shows something completely different."
Bukayo Saka missed matches through injury last season, as did Madueke. Kai Havertz was sidelined for the majority of the campaign until March, while Mikel Merino—who had been deployed as an emergency forward—also had his season cut short. Arteta will be hoping for better injury fortune this time around.
"But it is what it is," he said. "It's what we have. We already have some very, very good players."