Arsenal's silent deadline: What must be done before the season's first whistle?
Arsenal’s 2025-26 Premier League fixture list has delivered a warning: get transfer business done early or risk falling behind immediately.
An opening-day trip to Manchester United sets the tone for a challenging first six games.
Fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United follow swiftly, with only Leeds United providing a relative breather between a run of high-calibre opponents, including a Nottingham Forest side that spent much of last season in the top three.
These are not matches that allow for tactical experiments or slowly bedding in new signings. Arsenal must be ready from the first whistle.
After finishing second for three consecutive seasons, the club can no longer afford to miss margins. Every point in August and September could count for more than usual given the calibre of opposition in the early stretch.
Arsenal are not just chasing a title – they are trying to prove they can dictate one.
That means the striker situation needs to be resolved quickly. Arsenal continue to monitor Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, but no deal has been struck.
Sporting CP have made clear that Gyokeres will not be sold for anything less than a top offer, and negotiations have shown signs of becoming protracted.
The longer Arsenal delay, the less time a new striker has to adapt to Arteta’s system and develop chemistry with his teammates.
But the squad needs more than just a forward. Depth in wide areas is thin behind Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Interest in Leroy Sane and Sverre Nypan has cooled or moved elsewhere, and though Rodrygo and Anthony Gordon are reportedly being monitored, no progress has been made.
A winger is not a luxury – it is a requirement, especially with Champions League football starting in September.
The same applies to the defence and midfield. William Saliba and Gabriel form a solid core, but beyond them, Arsenal lack a reliable third centre-back. Marc Guehi is admired, but may not be open to a rotational role.
In midfield, uncertainty remains over Thomas Partey’s future. If he departs, Arsenal risk entering the season short in a key area of the pitch.
There is still time in the window, but the fixture list does not allow the luxury of a slow summer. Rivals are strengthening, and Arsenal face many of them before October.
If the club truly want to turn near-misses into silverware, then the planning, negotiation and spending must happen now. There can be no excuses.
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