Arsenal may have narrowly missed the mark this season in their pursuit of Premier League glory, but behind the scenes, the groundwork is being laid for a transformative summer. With Andrea Berta recently appointed to spearhead the Gunners’ recruitment drive, there’s a renewed sense of intent at the Emirates. The goal? Fix the gaps that have held the squad back and inject new life into Mikel Arteta’s lineup.
This season revealed a truth Arsenal could no longer avoid: talent alone isn’t enough if it isn’t backed by depth. Injuries to key forwards left Arteta with limited attacking options, and while the defense stood firm, the squad struggled to find the killer edge in high-pressure moments.
Enter Andrea Berta — a man known for shaping winning teams, with a track record of smart, high-impact signings. Under his direction, Arsenal are aiming to bring in three marquee players: Viktor Gyökeres, Nico Williams, and Martín Zubimendi. The reported combined price tag of around £200 million is bold, but it signals that Arsenal aren’t interested in another “almost” season.
Gyökeres, the Swedish striker lighting up the Portuguese league with Sporting Lisbon, is the kind of physical, goal-hungry forward Arsenal fans have been yearning for. Williams, a pacey winger from Athletic Bilbao, would offer a new dimension on the left, adding speed and unpredictability to a flank already strengthened by Bukayo Saka’s presence on the right. Meanwhile, Zubimendi, who currently orchestrates the midfield at Real Sociedad, is seen as a natural partner for Declan Rice and a long-term replacement for the likely departing Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
While fans may dream of a summer spending spree, reality has its limits. Arsenal are still operating under Premier League financial sustainability rules, meaning some departures will be necessary to fund these ambitious moves.
Several fringe players and even a couple of first-team names could be moved on to make room financially and tactically. The goal isn’t just to buy — it’s to reshape. There’s also a need for a reliable backup goalkeeper, especially with current loanee Neto expected to return to Bournemouth. That role, though minor compared to the headline-grabbing targets, remains a key checkbox for the club’s hierarchy.
Plan B options are also on the table should negotiations with Gyökeres or Williams stall. Arsenal have eyes on names like Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike, though Isak’s price tag might eclipse even the most ambitious estimates. If a high-value striker comes in, the club might put the winger search on hold.
Even if not all top targets arrive, securing two of the three could still dramatically change the face of the starting XI. A core built around Gyökeres, Zubimendi, Saka, Rice, and Ødegaard is both youthful and experienced — fast, technical, and dangerous in transition.
