Arsenal transfers: Areas to improve and the prime targets

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After a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, the pressure is on at Arsenal to get their transfer business right this summer. The club needs to strengthen throughout the squad, but mainly in attack as a lack of depth left us exposed last season.

Let’s take a closer look at the positions that need strengthening and the prime transfer targets:

Striker

There is only one place to start and that’s up front. It was clear for all to see last season that Arsenal lack a clinical striker. Many would argue that it was obvious in the 2023/24 season, too, but the club opted against signing a striker in the past two windows. Surely we will see a new front-man finally arrive this summer?

While Arsenal still ended the 2024/25 campaign having scored 69 Premier League goals – the third highest in the division behind City and Liverpool – we desperately lacked a killer instinct in the final third. On numerous occasions, we dropped points after not taking our chances so it’s imperative Arsenal buy a top class No.9.

It was a miracle we accumulated 69 goals considering no player scored 10+ and we were without the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli for large parts of the season. It’s time the club finally lands a 20+ goal-a-season striker.

Prime target: Benjamin Sesko

While we seem to hold a serious interest in Viktor Gyokeres, it appears the Sporting Lisbon hitman is the fall-back option in-case Arsenal fail to secure Benjamin Sesko.

The RB Leipzig forward has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time and we’ve made our move this summer. Negotiations with Leipzig are proving tough but Arsenal hope to secure a deal worth in the region of £60m.

At 6ft 5in, Sesko would be a focal points up front and a real threat at set pieces. However, he also has blistering pace and an eye for goal having scored 21 goals last season. That figure pales in comparison to Gyokeres who scored an incredible 54 in 52 games for Sporting, but Sesko’s all-round game appeals to Arteta. Plus, the expectation is the Slovenian international would improve his numbers in an Arsenal shirt.

Left-winger

Arsenal also need to add more depth out wide as we were woefully short of options last season. Gabriel Martinelli ended the campaign well but overall it was a hugely disappointing season for the Brazilian. The 24-year-old seemed to go backwards after an impressive 2023/24 campaign, and ended up with just 8 goals and 4 assists in 33 Premier League games.

Leandro Trossard is an impact player who produces his best moments off the bench, so we need a top level winger to compete with Martinelli. Some fans with Arsenal tickets argue that Trossard should be sold to make room for the new arrival, and I wouldn’t disagree on that front.

However, the important thing is Arsenal land a quality winger who’ll add a goal threat in the final third.

Prime target: Rodrygo

Nico Williams has long been touted as Arsenal’s main target, however, the Spanish international appears to be heading to Barcelona. Several players have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but Rodrgyo has emerged as a shock prime candidate in recent weeks.

Widespread reports suggest that Rodrygo is now Arteta’s first choice target for the left wing position amid speculation over his future at the Bernabeu. He’s become a favourite among fans with Real Madrid tickets, but Rodrygo’s position in the starting eleven is no longer guaranteed following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe last year.

Rodrygo has been benched by new boss Xabi Alonso during the Club World Cup, adding further fuel to speculation suggesting he could be heading for an exit with Arsenal pushing to get a deal done. The main issue is the fee as Madrid reportedly want around £70m, which may prove difficult given the amount of business Arsenal need to do.

Central midfield

Thomas Partey has followed Jorginho out the door after failing to agree terms over a new contract so Arsenal need to sign two central midfielders this summer.

Partey’s loss in particular will be a big blow as he’s just come off the back of arguably his best season in an Arsenal shirt. However, at 32 years old and a terrible injury history, perhaps this is the best time to say goodbye and get his £250,000-a-week wages off the books.

Prime targets: Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard

Zubimendi is set to arrive in a £60m deal from Real Sociedad. The move has been finalised with the 26-year-old already completing his medical in London earlier this month. Arsenal have agreed not to seal the deal until July to help Soceidad’s accounting, but we should see the Spaniard unveiled as an Arsenal player early next month.

Zubmimendi should prove to be a superb signing as we’ve beaten competition from the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich to sign him. He’ll be Arteta’s first choice defensive midfielder in place of Partey.

With Jorginho and Partey gone, Arsenal needed some experience in midfield and we’ve agreed a £10m deal to sign Norgaard from Brentford. The 31-year-old will come with huge Premier League experience and he’s also a real leader having captained the Bees. I think he’ll be a shrewd signing for the club.

Versatile defender

Kieran Tierney has left Arsenal and Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to follow him out the door this summer. Jakub Kiwior could also be on the move in search of regular football after impressing in Gabriel’s absence last season.

With Takehiro Tomiyasu struggling with persistent injury issues, Arsenal need more depth in defence as we were stretched at times last season when Ben White was out.

Primer Target: Yerson Mosquera

Arsenal have been hotly linked with Jorrel Hato in recent months but Yerson Mosquera has emerged as our top defensive target. The Colombian international has forged a reputation as one of the top young talents in Spain after impressing with Valencia.

The 20-year-old has mainly played as a centre-back but can also play full-back is required. Arsenal have already seen a £12m bid rejected but are hopeful of agreeing a deal worth in the region of £15m soon.

Back-up goalkeeper

Neto has gone back to Bournemouth following his loan so Arsenal need a back-up goalkeeper to compete with David Raya next season.

Top Target: Kepa Arrizabalaga

Arsenal have reportedly triggered a £5m release clause in his Chelsea contract and Kepa has agreed to move across London to the Gunners.

The 30-year-old impressed on loan at Bournemouth last season and will provide solid back-up for Raya once he finalises his move to the Emirates.

He signed for Chelsea in a world-record deal but after a tough start to life at the Bridge, Kepa has enjoyed some decent spells on loan with Real Madrid and the Cherries.

So Arteta and Andrea Berta have their work cut out this summer to get the Arsenal squad in a place where it’s ready to compete on all fronts next season. The club are tipped to spend well over £200m on new signings, so it’s going to be a busy few months.

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