Julian Alvarez and Morgan Rogers IN: How Arsenal could've lined up this season

Updated: 9 Sept 2026 13:53 BST | 5 min read

Julian Alvarez, Morgan Rogers, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Arsenal made five signings this summer as they looked to build on their Premier League title success but Mikel Arteta’s side could have looked significantly different if they had their ideal way during the transfer window

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The Gunners brought in Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier, as well as turning Piero Hincapie’s loan into a permanent deal, resulting in an outlay of more than €227 million.

Although Arsenal are still heavy favourites to retain their title this season after their transfer business, Arteta missed out on a number of targets as well as opting against strengthening some areas.

FootballTransfers explores what Arsenal’s team could have looked like if they managed to sign their ideal targets this summer.

How Arsenal could’ve lined up in 2026-27

Arsenal’s goalkeeping situation was strengthened with the arrival of Meslier on a free transfer to provide competition to Kepa Arrizabalaga as a backup to undisputed first choice David Raya.

However, it is at right-back where Arsenal perhaps didn’t get their ideal outcome, having seen Ben White remain at the club despite speculation that they would be looking to cash in on the 28-year-old.

White has proven to be crucial, with Jurrien Timber still struggling with a long-term hamstring issue, but Arsenal had been hoping to sign a right-back such as Tino Livramento, only for any deal to be halted after an injury of his own that ruled the Newcastle star out of the 2026 World Cup.

© IMAGO - Tino Livramento was high on Arsenal's shortlist before suffering an injury in May.

Arsenal did not rest on their laurels at centre-back after William Saliba was ruled out with a long-term injury during the summer, prompting the €60m signing of Konsa from Aston Villa and the England international was believed to be a top, long-term target for Arteta.

With Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori capable of filling in at left-back, Arsenal did not push hard to add depth in that area, particularly after opting against selling Myles Lewis-Skelly despite much speculation.

Guimaraes’ arrival gave Arteta the high-quality midfielder he has long coveted and Arsenal are well stocked in that area even with Christian Norgaard’s sale to Everton.

Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke continue to be the options on the right wing, along with young wonderkid Max Dowman, but it is on the left flank and up front where Arsenal could have seen the biggest changes.

© Chelsea FC - Morgan Rogers signed for Chelsea after Arsenal failed to meet his asking price.

Most people expected Arsenal to sign Morgan Rogers after they outlined the 24-year-old as a top target to enter the summer, however the Gunners refused to meet Aston Villa’s asking price, allowing Chelsea to seal a €138m deal instead.

Arsenal opted to sell both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli but only managed to bring in Christos Tzolis for €40m – a player who has started well at the club but is not the marquee arrival the club had been hoping for.

Rogers’ signing would likely have ended any interest in Vinicius Junior despite Arsenal’s attempts at signing the Real Madrid star and likely would prompted all their energy to go towards bringing in an elite centre forward.

Despite Viktor Gyokeres being the club’s top scorer in his debut season in North London, Julian Alvarez was in Arsenal’s thoughts from the start of the summer all the way to the deadline, however the Atletico Madrid star never opened his stance to a move to a team aside from Barcelona.

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez wanted to leave Atletico Madrid – but not to join Arsenal.

Arsenal would have dreamed of adding both Alvarez and Rogers to their team but they instead will progress with Havertz and the new signing Tzolis, giving Arteta plenty of areas to aim for next year to continue building a dynasty at the Emirates.