Arsenal’s 3-1 aggregate defeat to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals has plunged the club into reflection mode, marking five consecutive seasons without silverware under Mikel Arteta. Despite an encouraging domestic campaign that saw them challenge Liverpool for much of the season, the Gunners have stumbled to third place, 15 points behind the champions with three games remaining. It is a stark decline from last season’s tally of 80 points at this stage, leaving supporters questioning whether progress under Arteta has truly stalled.
For a club of Arsenal’s stature, patience wears thin without tangible success. Their failure to convert promising positions into trophies has led to growing calls for reinforcements, especially up front. Sporting director Andrea Berta, newly appointed from Atletico Madrid, has been tasked with leading a crucial summer overhaul. With the squad’s limitations exposed on the European stage, Arsenal’s hierarchy knows this transfer window could be the difference between another season of “nearly men” and finally lifting a coveted trophy.
Isak: The Dream Signing with a Heavy Price Tag
At the top of Arsenal’s summer wishlist is Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, widely viewed within the club as the ideal striker to lead the line. Sources close to the Emirates reveal Isak’s technical ability, mobility, and Premier League pedigree make him a perfect fit for Arteta’s tactical blueprint. The Swedish international is reportedly open to a London move, but Arsenal face stiff competition from Liverpool and a determined stance from Newcastle, who have no intention of selling their star forward.
The financial realities of the deal present a significant hurdle. Isak’s fee is expected to consume the lion’s share of Arsenal’s summer budget, threatening to limit reinforcements in other key areas. With Newcastle under no pressure to sell, and Champions League qualification potentially strengthening their hand, Arsenal’s pursuit hinges on whether owner Stan Kroenke is willing to sanction another marquee investment. Even with money talking in football’s transfer market, the cost-benefit balance of landing Isak could force Arsenal to consider alternatives.
Sesko and Gyokeres: Viable Alternatives with Varied Risks
As Arsenal weigh their options, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres have emerged as genuine alternatives. Sesko, a long-term target, is seen as a player with immense potential, having netted 26 goals this season at just 21 years old. Arsenal’s recruitment team has admired his development, though Leipzig’s reluctance to sell in January underscored the challenge of prising him away. Sources indicate groundwork has already been laid for a summer approach, with hopes of avoiding a prolonged negotiation.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, has seen his stock rise internally since Berta’s arrival, thanks to an impressive 38-goal season in Portugal. Though less heralded than Sesko, his goal-scoring exploits have caught Arsenal’s attention, particularly given Sporting’s willingness to negotiate below his release clause. Yet questions linger over his ability to replicate that form in the Premier League. At 27, Gyokeres also represents less resale value than Sesko, creating a strategic dilemma for Arsenal’s recruitment chiefs: prioritize immediate impact or long-term growth?
Midfield Reinforcements and Defensive Priorities
While a new striker dominates headlines, Arsenal’s midfield rebuild is quietly taking shape. Martin Zubimendi’s imminent arrival from Real Sociedad is seen as a statement signing, with the 26-year-old poised to replace Jorginho, who is expected to join Flamengo. Zubimendi’s blend of defensive discipline and distribution aligns with Arteta’s philosophy, offering Arsenal much-needed balance in the engine room. Whether another midfielder follows hinges on ongoing talks with Thomas Partey, who could yet extend his stay despite earlier expectations of a summer exit.
Defensively, Arsenal’s focus is securing the futures of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Both centre-backs have drawn interest from Europe’s elite, with Real Madrid keeping tabs on Saliba and Saudi Arabian clubs circling Gabriel. The prospect of losing either would be a significant setback, forcing Arsenal to consider contingency options like Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. Talks have already been held with intermediaries, signaling that Berta is leaving no stone unturned in safeguarding Arsenal’s defensive stability heading into next season.
Contract Renewals, Sales, and Arsenal Squad Reshaping
Alongside new signings, Arsenal face crucial decisions over player contracts. Talks with Bukayo Saka over a new long-term deal have begun positively, with optimism that an agreement can be reached to make the England international one of the club’s highest earners. The club is also keen to secure the futures of promising academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, positioning them as key figures in Arteta’s long-term project. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard’s contract situation remains unresolved, raising the possibility of a summer sale to avoid losing him for free next year amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal will also look to bolster their transfer budget through sales. Gabriel Jesus could be sold depending on his recovery from a knee injury, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney are expected to depart. Loanees Raheem Sterling and Nuno Tavares are unlikely to have futures at the club, and midfielders Fabio Vieira and Albert Lokonga are also available for transfer. For Berta, this summer represents a delicate balancing act: upgrading key positions while navigating the complex web of contract renewals, player sales, and financial constraints — all with the singular aim of ending Arsenal’s five-year wait for silverware.
