Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal remain actively engaged in the search for additional signings, acknowledging that the pool of players capable of elevating the team to the next tier is relatively limited. The Gunners experienced disappointment when their bid for Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior fell through after the Brazilian opted to extend his contract with the Spanish giants.
A similar setback occurred with another high‑profile target, Morgan Rogers, who ultimately chose a move to Chelsea from Aston Villa earlier this summer. Despite those missed opportunities, Arsenal successfully secured the services of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães for a reported £75 million on Saturday. Guimarães made his inaugural appearance for the club in Wednesday’s friendly against Como at the Emirates Stadium, yet the push to bolster the attacking options is far from over.
"There is more that we want to do because every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that," Arteta explained. "We are actively trying to do so. The thing in the market is that it doesn't just depend on you. We are very clear on that." He went on to stress that the club’s ambition and willingness to act are unquestionable, even if the final outcome cannot be guaranteed solely by Arsenal’s efforts.
"But the approach, the will and the desire of the club, that's unquestionable. We want to try to do that. But we cannot promise that we're going to do it because it doesn't only depend on us." Among the names currently under consideration are Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez and Paris Saint‑Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Their interest suggests that Arsenal’s quest for a marquee attacking acquisition will likely extend deep into the transfer window, as the Premier League champions continue to evaluate options that can add a decisive edge to their front line. Arteta also addressed the broader market dynamics, noting that only a handful of players are realistically available to provide the marginal improvements the club seeks. "I think for the margins to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club," he said.
"But again, we are actively looking to improve that and we're going to try." When asked whether high‑profile signings could disrupt Arsenal’s wage structure, Arteta deferred to sporting director Andrea Berta and the board, emphasizing his own focus on extracting the best performances from the existing squad. "I'll leave that question to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the board. My job is more to focus on getting the best out of the players that we have, to create that connection between them and to make every player feel important, regardless of the wages," he remarked. Guimarães received his debut against Como, entering at half‑time only four days after arriving from Newcastle.
The midfielder impressed enough to be considered for a starting role in the upcoming Community Shield clash with Manchester City. "Let's see," Arteta said.
"He only had three training sessions, but he looked good. He was really pushing to play some minutes. I think he wanted to get his debut and the feeling of playing in front of our fans immediately.
And you sense immediately, I believe, a strong connection at play that is going to make us better." The arrival of Guimarães has also sparked speculation about the future of young midfielder Myles Lewis‑Skelly. The 19‑year‑old has attracted interest from Chelsea and remains a long‑term target for Manchester United. Nonetheless, Lewis‑Skelly celebrated Arsenal’s goal in the friendly with a heartfelt gesture, placing his hands together toward the home crowd.
Arteta praised the youngster’s emotional response, noting, "It's good to score a goal, you should be emotional when you score a goal. He's a very emotional player. I remember when he did all the gestures on the pitch [last season]." Arteta chose not to comment on transfer rumors involving his players, stating that speculation is a positive sign of the club’s growing reputation. "If there is a speculation about our player, it's a good sign.
That means that we attract attention and they're doing a good job." He also highlighted Lewis‑Skelly’s strong pre‑season performance, mentioning a tactical shift that saw the teenager deployed more as a defensive midfielder—a role the team needed due to international absences in central midfield. "I think he had a really good pre‑season. I think we asked him to play in a different position, because he played more as a six, because we lacked central midfielders, obviously with international duties, and I think he had a really consistent pre‑season." Overall, Artetta’s comments reflect a clear strategy: continue to scout and pursue quality additions while recognizing the constraints of the market. The club’s leadership remains committed to enhancing squad depth and quality, but acknowledges that success will depend on a combination of opportunity, negotiation skill, and the willingness of target players to join the North London side.
As the summer transfer window progresses, Arsenal supporters can expect ongoing activity as the management strives to assemble a roster capable of competing for top honors both domestically and in Europe.