Arsenal’s post-title summer has not gone smoothly, with several major moves failing to land and the window still looking unfinished. Mikel Arteta began with clear priorities, but the club have already been turned away on some of the biggest names on their list.

Morgan Rogers was the first major ambition. Arsenal spent weeks working on a deal for the England international, with discussions centred around a figure near $108 million (£80 million). Aston Villa held their position, and Chelsea then moved faster with a bid of $157.5 million (£117 million). Arsenal were offered the chance to match it, but chose not to, and that ended the chase. Rogers’s remark that Chelsea are the “biggest club in London” only added to the sting.

When that route closed, Arsenal looked at Vinícius Júnior, after uncertainty emerged over his future at Real Madrid. The club made their interest clear, and the speculation quickly grew, with reports suggesting confidence inside the Arsenal dressing room that he could arrive this season. In the end, the pursuit appeared to serve another purpose entirely. His representatives pushed Madrid to improve their proposal, and the forward stayed where he was always expected to remain.

Midfield was another area of attention. Arsenal contacted Newcastle about Sandro Tonali, but Tottenham Hotspur moved ahead instead. The midfielder’s link with Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi played a decisive part, leading to a deal worth $134.5 million (£100 million). Arsenal did, however, use those discussions to show interest in Bruno Guimarães, whose move to the Emirates is now being spoken of as if only a social media statement remains.

That still leaves the left side of attack unresolved. Leandro Trossard has already left for Beşiktaş, while faith in Gabriel Martinelli remains limited. Bradley Barcola is under consideration, but Liverpool appear to be ahead in that race. Julián Alvarez also sits high on Arteta’s list, yet Barcelona are viewed as his preferred destination, and Atlético Madrid remain publicly unwilling to sell.

With so many targets slipping away, Arsenal face a difficult search in a market that is becoming thinner by the day.

Arsenal’s first setback of the summer arrived in Dublin, where a flat display ended in a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in preseason.

The match began poorly for Arsenal and never really recovered. Kepa Arrizabalaga, under renewed scrutiny amid talk that he may not remain at the club for the full summer, endured a difficult evening as Betis took control. His role in the opening goal was costly, with the goalkeeper coming for a corner, misjudging the delivery and leaving Riquelme with a simple finish at the far post. Kepa then struggled again when Arsenal’s opponents scored their second, with a poor clearance handing back possession before Deossa struck powerfully from the edge of the area.

Piero Hincapié did briefly give Arsenal some hope when he converted from a corner supplied by new arrival Christos Tzolis, but Pablo Fornals restored Betis’ two-goal advantage just before half-time. By that stage, Arsenal had already been exposed far too often.

Mikel Arteta made widespread changes after the interval and gave several younger players an opportunity to impress, yet Arsenal never looked like mounting a meaningful comeback. With Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard absent after their World Cup involvement, the midfield was reshuffled and looked vulnerable throughout. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri were used deeper, while Kai Havertz played further forward, but the structure lacked control and intensity.

The first half was especially poor. Betis countered with ease, Arsenal conceded three times before the break, and the defensive protection in front of the back four was nowhere near strong enough. Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, both hoping to strengthen their claims for bigger roles, did not do enough to shift that picture.

There was also frustration for Louie Copley, who lasted only 11 minutes before injury ended his afternoon. The 19-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Crawley Town, went off in visible discomfort after catching his studs in the turf and appeared to twist his knee.

Arsenal will not be overreacting, but the performance offered reminders that plenty of first-team players are still missing, including Raya, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke.

Bruno Guimaraes’ move from Newcastle United to Arsenal raises the usual question that follows a new signing: which shirt number will he take? For most players, it is a practical choice. For some, it carries real weight. For Guimaraes, there appears to be only one option.

Back in 2023, the Brazilian midfielder explained to The Players’ Tribune why No. 39 means so much to him. “The number tells a story more beautiful than words can say,” he said. “I know people think it’s a weird number for a footballer. But for me 39 is special—no, it’s more than that. It’s magical. The No. 39 gave me everything in life. … It fed me, clothed me and paid for three-hour bus rides to pursue my dream.”

The reason is deeply personal. As Guimarães revealed, #039 was the dispatch number for his father’s taxi cab in Rio de Janeiro. His father’s work shaped the midfielder’s childhood, with long days spent driving through the city and rare moments of release reserved for watching his son play on Saturday.

Guimarães’ path to the top was not simple. At one stage, he was so unsure of his future that he obtained a driver’s license in case he followed the family trade. His turning point came with a loan move to Athletico Paranaense in 2017, when his father called and urged him toward the same number. “What about 39? That is more than a number. 039 gave us everything we have, Bruno. Our house, our food, our furniture, your football boots. It was all because of our taxi.”

He was already due to wear 39 when he arrived, and the number was handed to him by chance. He and his father both broke down in tears.

Since then, he has carried those digits at Lyon and Newcastle, and even tattooed them on his right calf. Arsenal do not currently have anyone wearing the shirt, which clears the way for Guimarães to continue with the number that has followed him throughout his career.

There is history there too. Francis Coquelin wore No. 39 on his Premier League debut, while Héctor Bellerín also spent time with it during his Arsenal career. More recently, academy midfielder Harrison Dudziak briefly held the number before being released over the summer.