Arsenal’s 2025-26 Transfer Priorities: Why Signing a Top Striker Is Crucial

Arsenal's transfer strategy ahead of the crucial 2025-26 season is the subject of significant debate among football analysts and fans. The Gunners are already moving in the transfer market, but their priorities have invited scrutiny. With another trophyless campaign concluded, it's pivotal for Arsenal to address their squad's real needs if they aim to transform from contenders into bona fide winners next season.

Assessing Arsenal’s 2024-25 Campaign: Where Did It Go Wrong?

After a season that promised much but ended without silverware, questions inevitably arise around Arsenal's progress under Mikel Arteta. Despite reaching the Champions League semi-finals, the team fell short against Paris Saint-Germain. While Arteta remains secure in his position—having brought stability and a distinct identity to the club—there's no masking that another year without trophies demands introspection.

Key issues persist: Can this team finally bridge the gap to elite status? Was this campaign a one-off, or are deeper flaws at play? Most critically, what changes are truly necessary to convert potential into tangible triumph?

Arteta’s Post-Season Reflections

Mikel Arteta has publicly acknowledged the squad’s shortcomings, particularly in attack. After the last major defeat, Arteta discussed the exorbitant number of chances created compared to actual goals scored—a testament to the absence of a consistent, top-quality striker. He emphasized, however, that achieving success is not as simple as acquiring one superstar. The manager's awareness of the small margins separating victory and disappointment in elite football demonstrates his experience and understanding of the Premier League's unique demands.

Facing Squad Depth Limitations

Before Arsenal's important fixture with Liverpool, Arteta openly addressed the issue of squad depth, admitting they entered the season "super-short" on numbers. Injuries to key players compounded this lack of depth—a factor well-known in the modern game as a significant barrier to challenging on multiple fronts. Arteta's preference for working with a close-knit group, while admirable, must be balanced against the reality that squad rotation and depth are crucial to success, especially when competing domestically and in Europe.

Transfer Priorities: Are Arsenal Focusing on the Right Areas?

Early transfer moves suggest Arsenal are targeting reinforcements in midfield and defense, with reported significant investments in players like Martin Zubimendi and potential interest in goalkeeper Joan Garcia. While improving these areas strengthens certain aspects of the squad, the glaring need for attacking talent remains insufficiently addressed

Investing heavily in defense and midfield is sensible when there are obvious gaps, such as Jorginho's likely departure. However, the lack of a high-impact center-forward continues to limit Arsenal's attacking threat—a problem that cannot be ignored if Arsenal aim to elevate their status next season.

Balancing the Transfer Budget

With limited assets available for sale and key players approaching free agency, Arsenal's ability to finance further big-money transfers—especially for a marquee striker—looks constrained. This scenario increases the need for astute, prioritized recruitment. Failure to do so risks another campaign in which incremental improvements are undone by deficiencies in key positions.

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Contract Renewals: Smart Strategy or Risky Gamble?

News of a possible long-term contract extension for Leandro Trossard, who would be 34 when the deal expires, raises eyebrows. While squad stability is important, locking in aging players on lengthy deals can tie up valuable resources and limit flexibility. Trossard remains productive, but Arsenal must plan succession carefully, ensuring that their attacking line stays fresh and dynamic.

Decisions like these should align with a forward-thinking recruitment policy—one that adds younger alternatives to reduce long-term risk and ensures continuity at the highest level.

Why Arsenal Must Prioritize New Forward Signings

Since Arteta's arrival, Arsenal’s only significant addition up front has been Gabriel Jesus. Despite initial promise, Jesus alone has not filled the void of a top-tier, prolific striker. Kai Havertz, converted from midfield to a No.9, has brought adaptability but lacks the consistency required of a true forward leader.

Elite teams anchor their success on reliable goal scorers who can convert the high-quality chances generated by creative players like Bukayo Saka. Without such a presence, Arsenal's attacking moves too often trail off, limiting their scoring output and threatening their big-game ambitions. Industry insiders—myself included, with years of following transfer trends and the specific needs of Premier League clubs—firmly believe that failing to address this gap would be a significant oversight.

The Competitive Striker Market

Top strikers such as Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko are already on the radar of European giants. Arsenal must act decisively to avoid missing out, as competition for such talents drives valuations higher and complicates negotiations. Time is limited, and hesitation could see Arsenal left behind once more in pursuit of finishing talent.

The Imperative of a Successful Summer Window

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the stakes could not be higher for Arsenal. Another underwhelming transfer window or failure to address urgent needs will result in mounting criticism, both inside and outside the club. Arteta has shown he can build a disciplined and organized defense, but championship-winning sides are built on a balance of solidity and clinical finishing in attack.

To make that final leap, the club’s hierarchy must give Arteta the tools he needs—especially in the attacking department. Creative solutions may include reconfiguring current assets or prioritizing the sale of non-essential players to free up funds. However, internal improvement alone will not suffice. Players such as captain Martin Odegaard must rediscover their best form, but external reinforcements are just as vital.

An injury crisis next season may open debate on Arteta’s training and rotation methods, but at this point, the root issues remain clear. The summer window ahead is arguably Arsenal’s most crucial in recent memory, potentially defining the legacy of this project and setting the tone for seasons to come.

Conclusion: Urgency and Direction for Arsenal

Arsenal's path forward hinges on clear-eyed, pragmatic action in the transfer market. The signs suggest the club recognizes the need for change, but whether that realization translates into the necessary recruitment of top attacking talent remains to be seen. With market competition fierce and expectations higher than ever, Arsenal cannot afford misplaced priorities. As someone closely monitoring Premier League recruitment and performance trends for years at Betimate, I urge a considered yet bold approach for the Gunners this summer: the pursuit of elite forwards must come first if ambitions of major honors are to be realized.