A record-breaking striker, midfield reinforcements, squad depth, and a manager on a mission—Arsenal’s transfer window might just be the final piece of the title puzzle.
Arsenal fans who belong to the optimistic “we only need X signings to win the league” camp have every reason to feel hopeful this summer. The North London club has been one of the most proactive in the window, and crucially, the business they’ve done has been both strategic and necessary. A striker? Check. Midfield reinforcements? Check. Managerial backup? Check. Even Chelsea’s annual clearance sale has benefitted the red half of London.
So, where does this leave Arsenal? Are they finally doing enough?
Viktor Gyökeres: A Saga Worth the Struggle
Let’s start with Viktor Gyökeres, a.k.a. Yades, the man at the center of this summer’s most drawn-out transfer saga. Arsenal’s pursuit of the Sporting CP striker stretched on for weeks, with contradicting reports from Portuguese outlets making it hard to separate fact from fiction. Yet in the end, Arsenal got their man—for £55 million plus £7 million in add-ons.
That’s a bargain for the highest-scoring striker in Europe last season, with 39 league goals and 97 goals + 28 assists across two seasons. The Swedish striker’s skillset is tailor-made for the Premier League: a natural finisher who thrives on instinct, positioning, and power. Arsenal haven’t had a striker like this in the Mikel Arteta era. It’s a genuine difference-maker.
Yes, adaptation is key. He’ll need time to settle. But at 27, Gyökeres is entering his peak. Not everyone is a teenage prodigy like Erling Haaland or Harry Kane. Many strikers find their stride later in their careers—and that might be perfect for Arsenal’s timeline.
Noni Madueke: The Most Controversial £50m Signing?
Next came Noni Madueke from Chelsea, arguably the most unnecessarily controversial signing of the year. At £50 million, some fans saw it as overspending for a backup. But here’s the thing—no one pays £50m for a squad player.
Madueke can play on either wing, and his stats compare favorably to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. This isn’t just about depth at right-wing; it’s about adding flexibility and rotation to a team that is now competing across all major fronts: Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup.
Plus, he’s homegrown—a major advantage under current squad registration rules.
Martín Zubimendi: Calmness in the Chaos
Another signing that flew slightly under the radar is Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. With Thomas Partey finally moved on, the Spanish international is a direct replacement and a calming presence in midfield. Known for his composure, intelligence, and defensive awareness, Zubimendi has impressed in both the Spanish national team and La Liga.
He doesn’t just fill a gap—he upgrades the role.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: The £5m Steal
Somehow still the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, Kepa Arrizabalaga arrives at Arsenal for just £5 million. He’s not coming to replace David Raya, but instead to provide high-level competition and depth. With Chelsea offloading talent, Arsenal were wise to capitalize.
Coaching Reinforcements: Arteta Gets Backup
Behind the scenes, Mikel Arteta is also getting support. New assistant coach and ex-Chelsea keeper Kepa (not to be confused with the goalkeeper) brings additional tactical acumen to the team. With such fine margins deciding Premier League titles, every brain matters.
What This Means for Arteta
Let’s be honest: it’s now or never for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal have finished second two years in a row, and while fans can point to progress and promise, the fact remains: there’s no silverware to show for it in the league.
But to his credit, Arteta has managed adversity with more poise than his critics admit. Injuries, tactical tweaks, and squad reshuffles have not derailed Arsenal’s consistent challenge for the title. Even Manchester City stumbled without Rodri. Arsenal, despite losing key players simultaneously, kept marching forward.
The 2025–26 Arsenal: A Title-Winning Squad?
Here’s a projected XI going into the new season:
- GK: Raya or Kepa
- DEF: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko
- MID: Rice, Ødegaard, Zubimendi
- FWD: Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli
And that’s not even including rotation options like Trossard, Madueke, Havertz, Jorginho, and Tomiyasu. The Gunners now have real depth across the pitch—and there’s still talk of a move for Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
This is a title-worthy squad, no question. But in a league that also includes Manchester City and a resurgent Liverpool, that might still not be enough.
In Conclusion:
Arsenal fans have waited long enough. The team is stronger than it’s been in two decades. The squad is deeper, the manager more experienced, and the expectations higher than ever.
Will this finally be the year?
Only time will tell.
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