Suitcases, padel and last-minute winger transfers offered - Inside Arsenal's mad window
Mikel Arteta can now focus on Arsenal's Premier League title defence after the transfer market slammed shut
It feels somewhat remarkable that despite strengthening the spine of Mikel Arteta's Premier League title-winning team this summer, a lingering sense of disappointment remains regarding Arsenal's transfer business. Defender Piero Hincapie's Bayer Leverkusen loan was made permanent as expected (£34.5million), third-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier arrived on a free transfer from Leeds while winger Christos Tzolis (£34m), Bruno Guimaraes (£75m) and Ezri Konsa (£55m) arrived to significantly bolster the Gunners' ranks.
Beyond that, the failure to sign a ceiling-raiser in attack - or more specifically another left-winger - has left a hungry fanbase feeling disgruntled. Supporters, much like Arteta, had hoped for more. The left flank, in some respects, has been the one notable area of the squad in need of a refresh over the past few seasons. Arsenal were swift to negotiate Leandro Trossard's exit and their need to secure a substantial sale to remain compliant with financial regulations forced their hand on Gabriel Martinelli.
At the back end of last season, there were loose rumblings around the club that captain Martin Odegaard could be the one to make way but his outstanding World Cup and convincing response to a problematic knee issue that limited his involvement in the final months of the campaign meant there was never even a conversation to be had over his future.
Martinelli was desperate to stay but it was made clear to him that Arsenal felt it was the right time for a change of direction. Galatasaray were strongly interested, initially bidding around £38.5m before later raising their offer to £43m plus a 20 per cent sell-on clause but the Brazilian flat-out rejected a move to the Turkish Super Lig.
Instead, he warmed to a lucrative proposal from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal and following a drawn-out process, Martinelli, alongside his agents and upwards of 10 suitcases, finally boarded a private jet at Biggin Hill Airport on Tuesday morning to begin his new chapter in the Middle East. He will undergo his medical examinations today in Riyadh and his departure will be confirmed some time before Sunday, when the window closes in Saudi.
Still, there will be no replacement, though not through the want of trying. Just like January 2025 with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and this winter with Antoine Semenyo, opportunities were there for the taking. Morgan Rogers was Arsenal's top target but the Gunners felt he was being over-valued by Aston Villa, enabling Chelsea to swoop in and clinch a shock £117m transfer.
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Arsenal also tracked Bradley Barcola closely and watched him in-person at the World Cup but again, were not willing to engage after PSG slapped an initial £145m price-tag on Liverpool's new marquee acquisition. They would, however, have been prepared to break the bank for Vinicius Junior but the Brazilian ultimately opted to extend his stay at the Bernabeu.
Even now, Arsenal sources reaffirm their approach was very much real and the player gave serious consideration to joining the club. Contrary to reports, personal terms were never agreed. Inside the walls of Sobha, there was a real buzz and a feeling of anticipation that a game-changing transfer was possible. Real Madrid then bridged the sizeable existing gap in contract discussions with the 26-year-old attacker and on August 6, the Gunners were informed by Roc Nation Sports (his reps) that Vinicius would be signing a new deal with Los Blancos.
So why no pivot? Other options were of course, considered. Kenan Yildiz is a long-standing target and one that could be revisited in the future. In late 2025, Andrea Berta was well-informed on the Turk's contract situation at Juventus, though Yildiz later opted to extend his stay in Turin in February as it was clear the team's tactical plan was going to be shaped around his qualities. He also felt a great degree of loyalty to the Old Lady, who'd helped kickstart his senior career following his Bayern Munich exit. Arsenal enquired for Yildiz earlier this summer but were told under no uncertain terms that he wasn't attainable.
Everton's Iliman Ndiaye was also considered but close to half of his Premier League minutes last season were at right-wing. The Gunners ideally wanted a ball-carrier, a direct profile that could stretch opposition defences like Martinelli. There was a sense Ndiaye was more of a creator despite his dribbling ability and Arsenal were not short of that skillset (Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman). There were late unfounded whispers about Cody Gakpo and Kevin Schade which also amounted to nothing.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Iliman Ndiaye of Everton looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton at Vitality Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The push for Julian Alvarez was gruelling. Right up until the final days of the market, Arsenal were prepared to spend club-record money to land the Argentine. Atletico chief Mateu Alemany also held face-to-face talks with Gunners officials in London in recent weeks. Conversations with his camp stretched right back to earlier this year. In fact, his agent Fernando Hidalgo is believed to have attended Arsenal's 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Chelsea in February. Berta's relationship with Hidalgo is strong, as he brought the player to the Metropolitano in his previous role.
Alvarez ultimately didn't want to return to England and he only wanted Barcelona despite dialogue with Mikel Arteta. His decision wasn't just based on football but family logistics. It was respected and because they already have Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, the Gunners are at ease with it, even though they'd made the 26-year-old striker a priority target.
Arsenal were presented with the chance to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana via his representatives Roc Nation in the final hours of the market.. An agreement with Lyon proved problematic, though the Belgian wasn't universally popular anyway following an ankle operation last season. They explored an initial loan but Sunderland and Crystal Palace both presented permanent offers. Given the conduct of the player and his inner circle on deadline day, the Gunners may feel they dodged a bullet. In truth, the Premier League champions virtually conceded their business was likely done prior to that, when they were offered players such as Eintracht Frankfurt's Jean-Matteo Bahoya, who ended up at Leeds.
Arsenal considered a move for Malick Fofana but he ended up signing for Sunderland following a dramatic saga(Image: (Photo by Loic Cousin/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
There's acknowledgement that despite the will of the club to make more signings, sometimes there are damaging factors beyond their control. They will be ready to strike again in 2027. Other key objectives were still achieved. Guimaraes was a long-standing target and he strengthens Arsenal's midfield tenfold. Newcastle were angered by the Gunners' approach to negotiations as several verbal offers were presented through intermediaries. Their controversial strategy worked because they landed the 28-year-old Brazilian for £75m, below Newcastle's £80m+ valuation.
It was an exhausting saga but there was one particular social media image that led to the breakthrough. Late on the night of Thursday July 30 UK time, the day after Eddie Howe had intimated following a 4-1 friendly defeat to Bristol City (his final match at the helm) that Guimaraes was expected to travel with Newcastle to their La Manga training camp on the Friday, it was clear the midfielder wouldn't be present. Instead, he was playing padel with his father and members of his inner circle in Rio de Janeiro. The delay, though Newcastle still insist they'd agreed with Guimaraes that he'd go straight to Spain, ensured the wheels were finally in motion.
Arsenal also played the long game with Konsa. He was a signing unanimously approved by the club's recruitment team early-summer but there was concern that Aston Villa's £60m valuation would prove problematic. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke had sold the 28-year-old the project at England's World Cup camp, though it's not like it needed selling. The Gunners initially went in at around £30m, later upped their proposal to £40m before sealing an agreement at £51m plus £4m in bonuses.
As Villa dug their heels into the ground, Arsenal also contacted Atletico Madrid about Marc Pubill and considered Barcelona's Jules Kounde but Konsa's homegrown status, versatility and pedigree meant he ticked just about every box. Once it became clear William Saliba was set for an extended period of rest due to his serious back problem, Arsenal decided to pay up. Brest's Raphael Le Guen is another profile appreciated by Berta as the Frenchman, subject of rejected bids from Crystal Palace and Fulham, has drawn comparisons to Saliba. The Italian chief had previously carried out similar checks on Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet, who has now joined Liverpool, so it's one to watch for the future.
Speaking of the future, the Gunners' youth recruitment drive has been emphatic. As revealed by Geo Team, Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili is on his way to London to sign for Arsenal despite the summer transfer window closing. The Gunners are understood to have pipped the likes of Liverpool, Juventus and Paris FC to the highly-rated 17-year-old, who has been comapred to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in his homeland.
Bartishvili currently plays for Iberia 1999, though is on loan from Kolkheti 1913 but providing there are no late twists, he'll arrive in north London after he turns 18 in March. It's a move driven by Berta's assistant Maurizio Michelli, who played a role in signing Kvaratskhelia in his previous role at Napoli.
Arsenal are on course to pip the likes of Liverpool and Juventus to Andria Bartishvili
Talented forward Igor Tyjon has arrived from Blackburn Rovers after rejected bids in January while defender Elijah Upson, the son of former Arsenal player Matthew, was snapped up from rivals Tottenham. Midfielder Axel Donczew has joined from Cardiff City while James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye have signed from Manchester United. They follow Vincent Joseph and Mylo Bernard from Liverpool and Crystal Palace, respectively. Next year, Ecuadorian wonderkids Edwin and Holger Quintero will join from Independiente del Valle while midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna arrives from Shamrock Rovers in January.
Sales, outside of Martinelli, were also completed (worth £127.07 with add-ons once Martinelli's move is formalised). Ethan Nwaneri was wanted by a host of European clubs. AC Milan were willing to do a loan providing it includes a buy-option. Arsenal refused and eventually shook hands with Borussia Dortmund. They are receiving a loan fee worth up to £4.3m (€5m) and there's a mechanism that would enable them to recall the attacking midfielder in January. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce were also keen. Nwaneri can still play in the Champions League against Arsenal on November 24 as UEFA rules prevent parent clubs from inserting such clauses in loan deals.
Ethan Nwaneri has joined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Arsneal(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus has signed a three-year deal with Barcelona. The deal is worth an overall package of £12.8m including add-ons plus a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Meanwhile, Fabio Vieira finally rejoined Hamburg, where he spent last season on loan, in an £8.5m move plus a small sell-on. Arsenal would have banked a 17.5 per cent cut of Monaco's deal for Folarin Balogun but his deadline day switch to Everton collapsed following two late hitches. They will, however, receive windfall from Brooke Norton-Cuffy's switch to Hull City, thanks to a sell-on clause. Jakub Kiwior, Karl Hein, Christian Norgaard and Reiss Nelson (mutual termination of deal) also departed. Club sources continue to deny they ever directly offered Myles Lewis-Skelly to Chelsea or Manchester United but a mystery intermediary is thought to have done so.
Finally, young goalkeeper Tommy Setford completed a loan to League One side Stevenage. They held an interest in a loan one year ago and clinched a deadline-day deal. Las Palmas had explored a loan for Setford but the club's president called it off as he was satisfied with the team's goalkeeping options. Meslier was signed so Setford could depart on loan, so Arsenal will be thankful they were able to get an eleventh-hour agreement over the line.
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