Mikel Arteta has made clear that Arsenal are still searching for top-level additions after missing out on Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid.

The Arsenal manager said the club are “trying” to strengthen further, even after the arrival of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United gave the squad a timely lift. But for Arteta, the work is not done.

“That’s what we’re trying to do,” Arteta said after Sunday’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund when asked whether fans can expect more new signings.

“It has to be the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that.”

Arsenal remain in a difficult position as the summer window moves towards its final weeks. They have pursued several targets openly, including Rogers and Vinícius Jr., yet the club are still not close to completing another deal.

A left winger continues to be a key priority. The departure of Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş was balanced by the arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, but Arsenal still appear to want a higher-level option in that area. An upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli would, in the view of the club, raise the side to another level.

Barcola is still available, although he is expected to be extremely expensive. Other possible options, including AC Milan’s Rafael Leão and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, are also mentioned as players who may yet be available.

Defensive reinforcements are also under consideration. Arteta has already said it will be some time before William Saliba returns from a back injury, while Jurriën Timber is dealing with a groin problem and will miss the start of the season.

Ezri Konsa is understood to sit high on Arsenal’s shortlist. The Guardian reported that an opening bid has already been turned down, with Villa standing firm at $81 million (£60 million).

Arsenal will remain without two important defenders for the opening stretch of the 2026/27 Premier League season, after Mikel Arteta offered another update on Jurriën Timber and William Saliba.

Timber has been involved with the pre-season squad, but Arteta said the right back is not close to a full return. The Dutchman remains “still weeks away” from playing, with the manager adding that there is no exact timeline. Arsenal begin their title defence with a Friday night trip to Coventry City on Aug. 21, and with four league matches to follow before the September international break, a comeback before October appears unlikely.

“I cannot be very precise with [Timber’s return schedule],” Arteta told reporters. “Jurriën is progressing really well. He’s on the [training] pitch and doing quite a lot right now but is still weeks away [from playing a match]—I cannot tell you how [many weeks].”

Saliba’s situation looks even more serious. The defender went to the World Cup, but a back injury that was worsened in France’s semifinal defeat to Spain last month has ruled him out of contention. Arsenal had already confirmed that he would miss an “extended period,” and Arteta now says “Willy is in rest mode” and has done “almost nothing” over recent weeks so as not to aggravate the problem further. “It’s going to take some time to heal.”

That leaves Arsenal with a notable gap beside Gabriel at the heart of defence. Cristhian Mosquera is again in line to cover for Saliba, while Timber’s absence increases the need for Ben White on the right, despite transfer links this summer. Piero Hincapié is another option at centre back, although he has mainly been used at left back because of Riccardo Calafiori’s inconsistent availability.

Arsenal midfielder Louie Copley has revealed that his preseason outing ended with a serious knee injury after the club’s 3-1 defeat to Real Betis.

Copley was introduced at half time and briefly filled in at right back, but his first appearance of the summer lasted only 11 minutes before he was forced off. The injury has since been diagnosed as an ACL problem.

On social media, Copley wrote: “Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now, to making my preseason debut for the team I’ve grown up supporting to finding out I’ve ruptured my ACL,” he reflected on social media.

He added: “The road ahead won’t be easy but I’ll give everything to come back stronger and better.”

The timing leaves Copley facing a long recovery, with the possibility that he could return later in the coming season if rehabilitation goes well. For now, though, expectations will be kept in check as he begins a difficult spell on the sidelines.

His setback also removes a player who had been trying to make a case at right back, a position Arsenal have already had to manage carefully. Jurriën Timber has spent months out with a groin issue, while Ben White has also dealt with significant fitness problems in the past. White has been starting this summer, with Copley being given the chance to provide cover before the knee injury struck.

Arsenal’s defensive concerns are not limited to the right side. William Saliba is set for a lengthy period out because of a back problem, and that has already pushed Cristhian Mosquera, another right-back option, into central defence alongside Gabriel.

For Copley, the injury is a harsh interruption to a preseason that had offered him a chance to step forward.