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 summer dealings have delivered a blunt lesson. After missing out on Vinícius Júnior, the club also watched Jeremy Monga choose Manchester City, leaving Mikel Arteta without two players he had hoped could strengthen the squad ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Monga chase ended with the teenager describing City as the clear choice. Arsenal had been close to landing the 17-year-old, but City moved first and completed a £10 million ($13.4 million) deal for the Leicester City youngster. Speaking to BBC Sport about Arsenal’s interest, Monga said: “It was very strong because it was very close to me going there, very close,” He continued: “The main decision was probably the pathway and the club itself. They’ve been so successful that it was a no-brainer when City call. It’s every child’s dream to win trophies and be at the top with the best.

“Once I get the opportunity I just need to show myself, and once I do that, everything will take care of itself. I feel like, to me personally, I see myself at City more. I see myself in blue.”

That came just one day before Real Madrid secured Vinícius Jr for the next six years. Arsenal had been pushing to bring the winger to the Emirates Stadium and were reportedly ready to spend heavily, but the long pursuit ended with Madrid offering a more favourable extension after nearly 19 months of limited movement.

The Brazil international was the type of signing Arsenal wanted to add to the left side, especially with Tzolis having made a promising start in preseason, scoring once and assisting once in his first two appearances. Even so, he is likely viewed as depth after Leandro Trossard’s exit.

Arteta’s other options currently include Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson and natural right winger Noni Madueke. Arsenal also dropped out of the race for Morgan Rogers, who later completed a record-breaking move to Chelsea, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is reportedly leaning towards Anfield. The pattern is clear enough: Arsenal are still struggling to turn interest into major attacking additions.

Bruno Guimarães is increasingly being linked with a move to Arsenal, and the signs point in one direction even if nothing has been completed. He is thought to be keen on the switch to North London, while his absence from Newcastle’s squad for its preseason training camp in Spain has only intensified the expectation that a transfer could be close.

If Arsenal do get the deal over the line, Mikel Arteta would be adding a midfielder with a rare range of qualities. Guimarães can operate as a holding player, step into a creative role or drive the team forward as a box-to-box presence, giving the manager a level of flexibility few players offer.

One option would be to keep the 4-2-3-1 shape Arsenal used across much of their 2025-26 Premier League title-winning season. That system usually featured Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi as the double pivot, with a No. 10 in front of them, wingers on either side and a lone striker leading the line. In that scenario, Rice would almost certainly keep his place, which would leave Zubimendi as the likeliest player to step aside, even after a strong first season at the Emirates.

The logic is clear enough. Guimarães spent large parts of last season in a midfield two alongside Sandro Tonali, but was still able to move higher, join attacks and make late runs into the box. That freedom helped him finish with nine Premier League goals and six assists. The complication is that Rice also likes to advance, while Arteta may be reluctant to reduce Zubimendi’s influence after how valuable he became.

A second route may be more realistic: removing the No. 10 role altogether. Arsenal would still have width from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, while Noni Madueke and new signing Christos Tzolis provide further options. That would put Martin Ødegaard’s place under pressure. It would be a major call to leave out the captain, but his attacking return has dipped over the last two seasons. Last year, he managed just one goal and seven assists in 24 appearances, and often struggled to supply the decisive creative touch associated with him.