Football General Manager
- Gunners have spent big in summer window
- Seen Gyokeres register first goal for the club
- More comings & goings possible at Emirates
The Gunners are aware that they need to invest heavily after seeing Premier League rivals do likewise – with reigning champions Liverpool enjoying a lavish spending spree of their own, while Manchester rivals City and United have worked hard on bolstering their respective ranks.
Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all arrived at Emirates Stadium. They have strengthened a squad that is hoping to mount a title challenge in 2025-26.
Arteta has hinted at more business to come, with the Spaniard telling reporters on the back of a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club in the annual Emirates Cup: “Let’s see what happens, in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks. But we are actively looking at options. As well, there are a few players that, maybe, they have to leave as well. So, we will be open to see what happens.”
Prolific striker Gyokeres, who was acquired for £64m ($86m) from Sporting, opened his goal account against Athletic Club and Arteta believes a more direct style will play to the Swedish star’s strengths. He added: “That’s his nature. I think everything that he does – his movement, the way he times his runs, the way he predicts the next move, where the space can be and where the ball is going to land – that’s the instinct that he has.
“That’s why he’s scored so many goals in the last few seasons, so that’s not a coincidence, it’s his ability and he’s constantly looking for it. I think he pins both centre-backs. He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you. So he’s going to create a lot of space as well for us and there is the moment that, in any situation, there is a player there that can score a goal.”
Arsenal have another week on the training ground to get their new players settled and a blueprint for trophy-hunting drawn up before opening their 2025-26 campaign away at old adversaries United on August 17.
