Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are still actively seeking additional signings in the upcoming transfer window, but he also warned that the pool of players capable of elevating the team to the next tier is relatively limited. The Gunners recently experienced disappointment when their bid for Real Madrid's rising star Vinícius Júnior fell through after the Brazilian chose to extend his contract in Spain, and another high-profile target, Morgan Rogers, opted to join Chelsea after leaving Aston Villa earlier this summer.

In spite of those setbacks, Arsenal succeeded in securing the services of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarês for a reported fee of £75 million. Guimarês made his first appearance for the club on Wednesday, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Como at the Emirates Stadium.

While his debut was encouraging, the club’s pursuit of further attacking reinforcement remains ongoing. "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.

But the approach, the will and the desire of the club, that's unquestionable. We want to try to do that.

However, we cannot promise that we're going to do it because it doesn't only depend on us." The Premier League champions have reportedly set their sights on Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, indicating that Arsenal are still hunting for a marquee attacker who can add a new dimension to their play. Their search is expected to continue deep into the transfer deadline, as the club weighs options and negotiates with potential sellers.

Arteta also highlighted the difficulty of finding players who can make a tangible impact on the margins of a top‑flight side. "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 might disrupt Arsenal's wage structure, Arteta deferred to sporting director Andrea Berta and the board, emphasizing his own focus on getting the best out of the current squad.

"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 noted. Guimarês' debut was a highlight for the manager.

The Brazilian arrived from Newcastle just four days before the friendly and impressed as a half‑time substitute, prompting speculation that he could be in contention for a starting role in the upcoming Community Shield clash against 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 midfielder's quick integration illustrates Arsenal's broader strategy of blending fresh talent with existing players to maintain a competitive edge. At the same time, the club must manage the expectations surrounding younger prospects such as Myles Lewis‑Skelly, who has been linked with a possible move away after Guimarês' arrival.

Chelsea have shown interest, and Manchester United remain a long‑term target for the 19‑year‑old. Nevertheless, Lewis‑Skelly demonstrated his value by scoring Arsenal's goal in the friendly against Como, celebrating with a heartfelt gesture and a hand‑clasp towards the home supporters. Arteta praised his emotional response, saying, "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. I'm not going to talk about any speculation. If there is speculation about our player, it's a good sign.

That means we attract attention and they're doing a good job." Arteta also reflected on Lewis‑Skelly's pre‑season performance, noting that the youngster was deployed in a deeper midfield role to compensate for the absence of senior central midfielders engaged in international duties. "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." Looking ahead, Arsenal's transfer agenda will involve balancing ambition with realism.

The club must navigate a market where top talents are scarce and competition from other elite teams is fierce. Arteta's comments suggest a pragmatic approach: the club will continue to chase quality players, but it will also rely on developing existing squad members and integrating new signings swiftly. The manager's emphasis on squad cohesion, player morale, and the willingness to adapt tactics underscores his belief that success is not solely dependent on high‑profile purchases. In summary, Arsenal remain determined to strengthen their roster, acknowledging that the ideal targets are limited and that negotiations are complex.

While they have already added a key midfielder in Bruno Guimarês, the pursuit of an attacking marquee signing such as Julián Álvarez or Bradley Barcola continues. At the same time, the club will nurture homegrown talents like Myles Lewis‑Skelly, ensuring that the squad retains depth, versatility, and the drive needed to compete for trophies in the forthcoming season.