Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reassured supporters that the club remains active in the transfer market despite growing criticism over the team’s limited business ahead of the new season.
The North London club will continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Girona on Saturday, August 1, 2026, before taking on Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16, 2026, to officially begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Although Arsenal are expected to challenge for major trophies this season, fans have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of high-profile arrivals. That disappointment intensified after Morgan Rogers chose to complete a move to Chelsea earlier this month instead of joining the Gunners.
Need for patience
Arteta, however, maintained that significant work is being done behind the scenes and urged patience.
“A lot is happening. We all know about the context of this transfer window.
“From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individuals.
“We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”
So far, Arsenal’s biggest arrival this summer has been winger Christos Tzolis, though the Greek international is widely expected to provide squad depth if the club succeeds in signing another first-choice wide attacker before the transfer window closes.
Vinicius Junior and Bruno Guimaraes remain top targets
Arsenal continue to be strongly linked with Vinicius Junior and Bruno Guimaraes, two players who could significantly strengthen Arteta’s squad.
If Vinicius were to arrive from Real Madrid, he would immediately become one of the Premier League’s standout attacking talents. His pace, creativity and eye for goal would add a new dimension to Arsenal’s frontline, giving Arteta an attacking weapon currently missing from his squad.
Arsenal’s summer signings;
Piero Hincapie – Bayer Leverkusen (undisclosed fee)
Illan Meslier – Leeds United (free transfer)
Christos Tzolis – Club Brugge (undisclosed fee)
Adding a player like Vinicius could also increase the need for a deep-lying playmaker capable of controlling matches and supplying the attack. Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes fits that profile and could fill the void left when Granit Xhaka departed Arsenal in 2023.
Slow transfer progress
The Premier League transfer window will remain open until September 1, meaning Arsenal still have time to strengthen after the season begins. The Gunners will have played only two league matches before the deadline.
However, any late arrivals may need time to settle into Arteta’s system, potentially delaying their impact during the opening weeks of the campaign.
A sluggish start could prove costly, particularly with central defender William Saliba already expected to miss several months through injury.
If Arsenal can complete their priority signings quickly, they will be better positioned to keep pace with their title rivals during the opening months of the season. But delays in securing key targets could make their bid to retain the Premier League crown considerably more difficult.
