Arsenal face depth questions after quiet deadline day

Arsenal’s summer business has left a split impression: clear reinforcement in several areas, but renewed scrutiny over whether Mikel Arteta has enough attacking depth for another campaign across four competitions.

Arteta’s call for depth went unanswered late on

Before Arsenal’s win at Aston Villa, Arteta had made the point that elite teams need bigger matchday squads, underlining how demanding the schedule has become. That context made the closing stages of the transfer window particularly notable.

Arsenal allowed Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri to leave without adding replacements, a decision that has sharpened the focus on the balance of the squad. While Arteta still has at least two options in every position, the concern is less about basic cover and more about what happens if injuries hit the forward line again, as they have in recent seasons.

That issue has become more prominent with Gabriel Martinelli expected to join Al-Hilal before the Saudi deadline. If that move is completed, Arsenal will have lost another attacking option from a title-winning group that already carries a heavy burden on Bukayo Saka.

Strong recruitment in parts of the squad

It is not as though Arsenal stood still earlier in the window. They moved quickly to replace Leandro Trossard with Christos Tzolis, then added Bruno Guimarães and brought in Ezri Konsa to help cover the long-term absence of William Saliba.

Eberechi Eze is also available to compete on the left, while central midfield appears well stocked after Guimarães’ arrival. In that sense, Arsenal have addressed several important areas with players who are already proven at a high level.

But the absence of a further attacking addition on deadline day was striking, especially after Arteta had openly acknowledged the need for greater depth. Arsenal were linked with options, yet no deal was completed.

Questions over transfer strategy

Some supporters have begun to question whether too much of the summer was spent pursuing elite attacking targets rather than broadening the squad more pragmatically. Names such as Vinícius Júnior and Julián Alvarez were part of that conversation, while Arsenal had already missed out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.

Andrea Berta, who arrived from Atlético Madrid in March 2025, is now under greater scrutiny as a result. His first months in the role had been widely praised, and Arsenal’s spending under his watch previously reflected major ambition.

There was also a decision not to proceed for Malick Fofana, with doubts reportedly existing over whether the Belgium forward would improve the squad. Iliman Ndiaye was another player on Arsenal’s shortlist, but the club chose not to move.

Ambition remains, but so does the risk

There is little evidence that Arsenal’s ownership has lacked commitment. The club’s spending over recent years has been substantial, and Josh Kroenke had already made clear after last season’s title win that there would be no complacency.

This summer’s recruitment supports that message in part. Konsa and Guimarães, in particular, look like additions designed to keep Arsenal at the top end of the Premier League. Yet the wider debate is about whether that ambition has been matched by enough firepower in attack.

Arsenal may still believe continuity, internal improvement and a more balanced wage bill can carry them forward. But if injuries strike their front line again, the lack of a late attacking signing will be revisited quickly and often.

• Mikel Arteta said Arsenal needed greater depth to compete in four competitions.
• Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri left without replacements arriving.
• Gabriel Martinelli is expected to join Al-Hilal.
• Arsenal added Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa earlier in the window.