Arsenal van Mikel Arteta finished second in the Premier League last season – the third year in a row in which they finished second – and want to make the stepup
Arsenal is close to the announcement of their second major contract renewal of the summer after binding Gabriel to a new deal. Myles Lewis-Skelly will be the next player who signs new conditions, with an announcement about a new deal for the teenager who in particular expected.
Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakthrough season in the past term after making his Premier League debut in September 2024. A midfielder at youth level, he showed his quality on the left for the Senior Side and earned his first minutes for the national team of England in the position.
However, things will not stop there. Arsenal ended up again in the Premier League last season, but was further apart from a title profit than in each of the two previous campaigns, and will want to do something about it.
That a little further is being transferred, both in investments and new contracts for important players. Co-chairman Josh Kroenke has already indicated that there will be money to spend, with the new sports director Andrea Berta first in the summer.
We already have a reasonable idea of what is coming, with some names mentioned in the early part of the window. Here Mirror Football discusses some of the following steps.
Which striker then arrives?
One thing that became clear in the second half of last season was the need of Arsenal to attack reinforcements. The return of Kai Havertz due to injury will make it easier, but a new number nine remains a priority.
A number of names have been mentioned, but unless it changes drastically in the coming weeks, Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres will be. Sesko looks bigger, although his agent Elvis Basanovic indicated that he will not lean on RB Leipzig to lower their asking price.
“Even if there can be a strong wish of the player – or will be to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig,” he told Givemesport. “I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually go out of the club shows your values. Values that you bring to a new club.
Zubimendi announcement
For a while it seemed that Martin Zubimendi was destined to become the first summer signing of Arsenal. The Spain -midfielder is still more likely than not in North Londs, but it will not be the fast process that some people expect.
“Of course there are options, but it is true that it looks like it will be another, long summer, and I don't know how it will end,” said Zubimendi during the international break. “I don't think I think about it now, my priority. I am here with the national team, which I think is quite demanding, and if I have to say something, I will do that.”
A move to Noord-London would see the real Sociedad star reunited with former club teammates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino. It is unlikely that they will be accompanied by former colleague Alexander Isak, with the Swede in Newcastle.
More new contracts
The new deals from Gabriel and Lewis-Skelly are just the beginning. There have been provisional conversations about a new deal for Leandro Trossard, who is about to enter into the last year of his current deal, but there are some other huge priorities.
One of those extensions seems to be relatively easy. Ethan Nwaneri. Formal discussions with the teenager started early in Berta's term of office, and it would be no surprise to see a new deal announced this summer.
Bukayo Saka is also expected to extend a deal that currently runs until 2027, while there is optimism that William Saliba will do the same. Real Madrid, however, remains enthusiastic about Saliba and it is still to see how easy it is for the Gunners to ward off that interest.
Keeper comes in
The loan movement from Arsenal for Neto last summer always looked a bit like a stop gap, and so it proved. The Brazilian will return to Parent Club Bournemouth, who has hardly been shown in London during his year.
However, the Gunners still need a long-term backup to David Raya. For a while it seemed that Joan Garcia might be that man, but he has now officially completed a move to Barcelona.
Instead, it is another Spaniard that seems to be on the road. Kepa is available for a knock-down £ 5 million compensation and looks like an absolute no-brainer for Arteta.
What else can happen?
The other area where there are questions is wide left. A new deal for Trossard can solve the problem, but there have also been muttering of a new face to strengthen the front line next to a new number nine.
Again, Barcelona stands in the way when it comes to one of those goals. Nico Williams is supposed to promote a move to Catalunya and seems closer to choosing Barca above Arsenal.
Another option is Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who found chances more difficult to come last season. He played and assisted in the first match of New Manager Xabi Alonso on Wednesday, but is supposed to be available for the right price – the question is whether Arsenal will be willing to pay it.