Arteta: Arsenal are really active in transfer market
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are far from finished in the transfer market, even as the champions prepare to raise the curtain on their Premier League title defence.
The Gunners open the 2026/27 campaign at home to newly promoted Coventry City tonight, Frank Lampard bringing his side to a North London still buzzing from last season’s triumph and a busy summer of recruitment.
Arsenal have already moved aggressively. Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have arrived to deepen and sharpen a squad that went all the way last year. Ezri Konsa has also completed his switch from Aston Villa in a £51m deal, the England defender finalising his move to North London with only the formal club announcement to come.
Arteta, though, is not easing off.
“We are really active in the market, I think I mentioned that a few days ago. The ambition is to improve the squad,” he said in his pre-match press conference, underlining that the champions still see room – and need – for more.
Defensive gap drives late business
For all the noise around a new forward, Arteta was clear about the most pressing concern: the back line.
“We have a really specific issue in the backline, especially with the long-term injury of Wilo [Saliba] and the fact that we miss one more defender; that's clear. So we are trying to reinforce that area. Whenever we're ready, we'll announce something.”
The Saliba setback has altered the tone of Arsenal’s window. Konsa’s arrival addresses part of the problem, but Arteta’s comments point to at least one more defensive reinforcement before the September 1 deadline, even as the club also explore attacking options and prepare for several exits from the fringes of the squad.
The message is blunt: the champions will not go into a title defence light at the back.
New faces, new energy
If there is anxiety over injuries, there is also a surge of optimism around what the summer signings have already brought to London Colney.
“Yes, that's what the new signings bring: a new energy, something to prove in front of them as well, and obviously a competition,” Arteta said. “And when you talk about players of that quality and leadership, the same with Christos [Tzolis] or with Illan [Meslier], what they've done since day one, I think it lifts the level of everybody.”
Guimaraes adds control and bite in midfield. Tzolis offers another edge in the final third. Meslier, still young but battle-tested, strengthens the goalkeeping department. Around them, a title-winning core now feels both challenged and refreshed.
Arsenal step into the new season as champions, with a packed Emirates, a promoted opponent, and a manager who has no intention of standing still. The window is still open, the squad still evolving – and Arteta clearly expects his club to finish this market as relentlessly as they ended last season.
