Rogers joins and Martinelli is sold: Arsenal's dream summer transfer window

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Arsenal may be the Premier League champions, but they are nevertheless expected to massively strengthen their already exceptional squad this summer.

Mikel Arteta is understood to want at least three new signings, and this number could increase depending on outgoings. The Gunners' current squad is already well-balanced in most areas - as evidenced by Arsenal's march to the Premier League title and Champions League final.

However, there are some obvious areas of concern. The North London giants have been in the market for a marquee left-winger for at least two summers, but they have yet to find the right option for that position.

The No.9 position could also come into focus again this summer - despite last year's arrival of Viktor Gyokeres - while the midfield could use another body. There are also question marks at right-back.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through Arsenal's dream summer transfer window.

The goalkeeper position is not a concern for Arsenal, with David Raya having arguably become the best in the world over the past year. Similarly, the Gunners are well-stocked at centre-back and left-back thanks to the quality and versatility of their current options.

Adaptable left-sided star Piero Hincapie has been solid and will have his loan from Bayer Leverkusen made permanent, so that one doesn't require much of an explanation.

Right-back, however, is a problem position for the Gunners. Jurrien Timber's injury issues at the end of the season just gone laid bare that another reliable option is required.

Ben White used to be a very good Premier League full-back, but his lack of minutes since Timber returned from his ACL injury has resulted in a noticeable drop in performance levels.

Cristhian Mosquera was also, at times, tasked to step into the breach, but the centre-back offers nothing going forward. With White likely to be sold after growing frustrated with his lack of action, Arsenal are expected to make a right-back signing.

One player Arteta is a known admirer of is Newcastle star Tino Livramento. His injury issues have not scared off the Gunners (nor Man City), but Newcastle's reluctance to discuss a deal is the bigger hurdle. In an ideal world, however, the England star would be Arsenal's new right-back this summer.

On paper, Arsenal's midfield boasts exceptional quality. However, there is easily scope to add another quality option to better deal with the relentless schedule that an elite Premier League team has to contend with.

Take Martin Zubimendi as an example: the summer signing was brilliant for most of the campaign, but a lack of rotation resulted in him looking increasingly jaded and making more and more mistakes. He eventually lost his place to Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Christian Norgaard has been virtually non-existent this season, so Arsenal should look to add another body in the midfield. Club chiefs seem to agree. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are in contact with Newcastle star Sandro Tonali.

He would be the ideal signing as he can do a bit of everything, much like Declan Rice. The Italian's arrival would massively ease the load on the England star, who played almost 4,500 minutes in 2025-26.

Further forward, Arsenal need an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Numerous players have been linked - including Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola - but the standout candidate is Morgan Rogers.

The Aston Villa star will be available for transfer this summer, and he has proven Premier League quality and experience. Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are huge fans of the England star.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly close to signing 16-year-old sensation Jeremy Monga from Leicester. The wonderkid winger would obviously not be an immediate first-team reinforcement, but together with England U19 teammate Max Dowman, he could be the future of Arsenal's attack.

As for the striker position, Arsenal are likely to be in need of a replacement for Gabriel Jesus. They should technically not need another high-profile forward after splashing €70m on the aforementioned Gyokeres last summer.

But let's be honest, if there is an obvious upgrade out there, why not go for it? That obvious upgrade is Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a move to the Gunners for months.

Arsenal have already been in contact with the former Man City man. The Argentine favours a move to Barcelona, but the Catalans' antics have not left Atleti best pleased. The Madrid club are digging their heels in and don't want to sell to their rivals.

Arsenal should act like a big club and try to muscle their way into the picture for Alvarez. He could make Arteta's side unstoppable.

On the outgoing front, there are likely to be a few major exits. As alluded to above, Ben White's time at the Emirates is probably up, with the England defender having slipped below Jurrien Timber in the pecking order. He was already linked with an exit in January.

At 28, White can still fetch Arsenal a decent transfer fee. The same can't be said for Christian Norgaard, however. Signed for €11.6m from Brentford last year, the 32-year-old played just 100 Premier League minutes. He needs to leave for the good of his career.

Fabio Vieira arrived at Arsenal with huge potential, but he ultimately never managed to really establish himself under Arteta. After spending the past two seasons out on loan, the Portugal international will be sold this summer.

It is a similar story for forgotten man Reiss Nelson. Yes, he is still technically an Arsenal player. Due to injury and, well, not being at the required level, the 26-year-old winger only played 339 minutes on loan at Brentford. He won't be on the books at Arsenal for much longer.

Gabriel Martinelli remains a reliable player for Arteta, but like White, the winger has probably reached the end of the road in North London. Arsenal have simply evolved beyond the Brazil international.

He is still a very valuable asset, of course, and Arsenal will look to raise significant funds from his anticipated departure. He will have no shortage of suitors this summer.

Gabriel Jesus is also likely to depart the Gunners. He, too, is no longer as important to Arteta's side as he once was. His injury problems have seen Gyokeres and Kai Havertz firmly entrench themselves ahead of the Brazilian in the striker hierarchy

Jesus has been linked with a return to boyhood club Palmeiras for the past two years. He has made no secret of his desire to play for the club again, but he will likely also have European suitors this summer.

The only senior player Arsenal currently have on their books who looks primed for a loan is Ethan Nwaneri. While reports have suggested that he could be sold to generate pure profit, the Gunners would, in an ideal world, surely prefer to keep the faith in him and send him out on another loan.

The circumstances surrounding his January move to Marseille were very peculiar - and OM are a very peculiar club. Nwaneri basically only joined the French giants because of Roberto de Zerbi, so it is no surprise that the coach's decision to quit shortly after the youngster's arrival doomed his spell.

Max Dowman could be a candidate to go out on loan, too, but he doesn't turn 17 until December, so he would only be eligible for a transfer in January after signing a professional contract.

Arsenal's dream squad for 2026-27

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga

Defenders: Tino Livramento, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori

Midfielders: Sandro Tonali, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze

Forwards: Morgan Rogers, Jeremy Monga, Julian Alvarez, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Max Dowman, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz

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Written by

Tom Weber | Writer

Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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