Arteta: Arsenal Active in Transfer Market for Late Deals

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s work in the transfer market is far from finished, even after a headline summer that has seen the Premier League champions move aggressively to strengthen their title-winning squad.

The Gunners have already landed Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier, and are on the brink of confirming Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in a £51m deal. The England defender has completed his switch to North London, with only the formal club announcement still to come.

All this before a ball is kicked in the new campaign.

Arsenal begin their 2026/27 Premier League defence tonight at home to Coventry City, with Frank Lampard bringing his newly promoted side to the capital. The stage is set at the Emirates, but Arteta’s gaze is fixed on more than just the opening whistle.

“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.

The message was clear: the champions are not standing still.

Arteta outlined the main concern driving Arsenal’s late-window push — a shortage in defence following a major setback at the back.

“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 need for another defender sits alongside a desire to add one more forward before the September 1 deadline, with several fringe players expected to move on to make room and maintain balance in the squad.

While the recruitment drive continues behind the scenes, Arteta was keen to underline the impact of the new arrivals already in the building. The mood, he suggested, has shifted.

“Yes, that's what the new signings bring: a new energy, something to prove in front of them as well, and obviously a competition,” he 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 injects directness and edge in the final third. Meslier pushes the goalkeeping standards. Konsa, once unveiled, will deepen a defensive unit suddenly stretched by William Saliba’s absence.

The champions already look stronger on paper. Arteta, though, is pushing for more before the window slams shut — a familiar restlessness that now defines Arsenal’s new era.