Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal remain keen to add further talent to the squad during this summer’s transfer window, but he also warned that the pool of players capable of taking the club to the next level is limited. The Gunners recently missed out on a couple of high‑profile targets – Vinícius Júnior chose to extend his contract with Real Madrid, and Morgan Rogers opted to move to Chelsea from Aston Villa earlier in the season – leaving a noticeable gap in their recruitment agenda. The club did, however, secure the £75 million signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães on Saturday. Guimarães made his debut for Arsenal on Wednesday, coming on at half‑time in a friendly against Como at the Emirates Stadium.
While his arrival is a positive step, Arteta stressed that the search for additional firepower will continue well into the transfer deadline. "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 added that the club’s desire and willingness to invest are unquestionable, but the final outcome depends on factors beyond Arsenal’s control. "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," he said.
Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on Atletico Madrid’s Julian Álvarez and Paris Saint‑Germain’s Bradley Barcola as potential marquee signings. Both players are considered top‑tier attacking options, yet securing either of them could prove challenging given the competitive nature of the market and the limited availability of elite forwards.
"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," Arteta noted. "But again, we are actively looking to improve that and we're going to try." When questioned about whether big‑ticket signings could disrupt Arsenal’s wage structure, the manager deferred to sporting director Andrea Berta and the board, emphasizing his own focus on extracting the best performances from the current roster. "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 said. Guimarães’ debut was a highlight of the pre‑season.
The midfielder, who arrived from Newcastle United only four days earlier, impressed after coming on at the interval, showcasing his vision, passing range, and composure on the ball. Arteta hinted that the Brazilian could be in contention for a starting role in the upcoming Community Shield clash against Manchester City.
"Let's see," he 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 manager also touched on the situation surrounding 19‑year‑old midfielder Myles Lewis‑Skelly. Since Guimarães’ arrival, speculation has linked Lewis‑Skelly with a possible move away, with Chelsea reportedly interested and Manchester United identified as a long‑term target.
Despite the rumours, the young player celebrated Arsenal’s only goal in the friendly against Como with a heartfelt gesture, hugging his hands together toward the home crowd. "It's good to score a goal, you should be emotional when you score a goal," Arteta commented.
"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 a speculation about our player, it's a good sign.
That means that we attract attention and they're doing a good job." Arteta praised Lewis‑Skelly’s pre‑season performances, noting that the coaching staff had experimented with his position, deploying him more as a defensive midfielder – a "six" – to cover for the absence of senior central midfielders on international duty. He added that the youngster displayed consistency throughout the pre‑season fixtures, reinforcing his belief in the squad’s depth. Overall, Arsenal’s transfer strategy this summer appears to be a blend of immediate reinforcement – exemplified by the Guimarães acquisition – and a longer‑term pursuit of elite attacking talent. While the market constraints and competition from other clubs make the hunt for players like Álvarez and Barcola particularly tough, Arteta’s comments suggest that the club will continue to explore every viable avenue.
The manager’s emphasis on squad harmony, wage balance, and the development of existing players indicates a holistic approach: rather than relying solely on big‑money signings, Arsenal aim to nurture a cohesive unit capable of competing on multiple fronts. Fans can expect further updates as the transfer window progresses, with the possibility of new names emerging in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the focus will shift to the Community Shield and the start of the Premier League campaign, where the impact of recent signings and the integration of emerging talents like Lewis‑Skelly will be closely observed.