Arsenal and Andrea Berta have plenty of work to do to even after landing their key targets in the summer transfer window
The hallmark of a great club is never being fully content with the squad at your disposal.
Whether Arsenal go on to become English and European champions or not, this season has undoubtedly shown they sit at the pinnacle of the sport with the very best clubs. Reaching the Champions League final and leading the Premier League for much of the season are incredible feats, though repeating it next season is an entirely different beast.
Luckily, title rivals Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have created the blueprint for what it takes to be successful season after season. What Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta need to do is relatively simple: spend big each year and address any potential areas of concern before they become weaknesses.
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Last summer, when the Gunners splurged a club record sum of over £250million on new signings, showed the intent required to be champions, and they’re seeing their endeavour pay off now. By all accounts, they will have to be more creative in the transfer market this time around given that eye-watering outlay, with sales just as important as shiny new signings.
Arsenal’s first arrival was agreed before the start of the current campaign. Piero Hincapie’s permanent move to N5 is already done and dusted, having been signed on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen. The deal included a buy option which functions more as an obligation to buy, similar to how David Raya was signed from Brentford, allowing Arsenal to effectively navigate Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The combative defender, who has popped up all across the back-line in his first season, has endeared himself to both Arteta and the Emirates faithful already ahead of his five-year deal officially being signed. The Gunners paid a loan fee worth around £5m in 2025 but will have to pay the remaining £40m in the coming weeks.
With Hincapie signed and sealed, Berta can turn his attention to the most glaring position in need of reinforcements – the left wing – which has long been the Achilles’ heel of the Arsenal side.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are still useful players, as seen by the former’s Champions League form and the latter’s decisive goal against West Ham. Yet, neither winger has managed to make the position their own, and the left flank remains considerably less of a threat to opposition defences than Arsenal’s right.
Either or both Trossard and Martinelli are expected to be sold this summer, paving the way for a truly top player to arrive and elevate the starting eleven. Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain should be Berta’s top priority.
The Frenchman, still just 23 years old, is a world class threat on counter-attacks. His dribbling and pace also makes him skilled at breaking low blocks, something Arsenal regularly come up against.
Barcola has repeatedly proven his worth under Luis Enrique’s European champions, managing 44 goal contributions in 64 appearances as PSG claimed a historic treble last term. But he still plays second fiddle to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, with their arrivals reducing his minutes and hindering his chances of becoming a world beater.
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Arsenal should pull out all the stops to sign him this summer in a transfer that would likely range between £60m and £70m. Recent reports indicate his representatives are already looking at potential suitors.
With the left hand side bolstered, Arteta can then look toward strengthening his midfield. The Gunners are lucky that Declan Rice has been injury free for much of his time in north London as they have no clear replacement for him if he suddenly faces a lengthy absence.
Sandro Tonali is the player who could perhaps most seamlessly step in and replace Rice or play alongside the England international, given his dogged defensive work, engine and Premier League experience. Yet, Newcastle are expected to demand a minimum of £80m for the Italian, who was linked with Arsenal in January.
Ederson of Atalanta represents a more financially savvy, albeit slightly more risky, option. The combative Brazilian is valued at around £43m and has received interest from the likes of both Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, indicating that Berta and Arteta like the player.
His qualities make him a valuable addition to the squad, capable of sharing minutes with Rice, Martin Zubimendi and the newly-promoted Myles Lewis-Skelly, in a manner which Christian Norgaard failed to do this season. Expect the Dane to leave the club this summer if a midfielder is signed.
The final position Arsenal must address is right-back. They currently find themselves short due to Jurrien Timber and Ben White’s injuries, with the latter picking up a season-ending MCL injury recently against West Ham.
White was useful when required to step in for the first-choice, Timber, especially in terms of his telepathic connection with Bukayo Saka on the right. However, the England star’s injury problems mean he is unfortunately no longer a reliable option for an entire season.
Instead, the Gunners should look to buy Tino Livramento from Newcastle. Arsenal can sign the England full-back for a sum of between £60m and £70m, with reports claiming there is a release clause in his Magpies contract.
Arteta is understood to be a huge admirer of Livramento’s versatility, given he is capable of playing at both right back and left back. He would certainly improve Arsenal’s depth as they look to challenge once again on all four fronts in another gruelling and potentially successful campaign.
