Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on August 1 that the club expects more player arrivals before the summer transfer window closes later this month [1, 2]. Speaking after a 4-1 friendly win over Girona, Arteta said, "We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously. We want to get better like anybody else, and you just can see the transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing. We won’t sit still and we are very ambitious with what we are doing. The margins are very small because we want to get better and the level is going to increase. We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team." [2]
So far this summer, Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier, forward Christos Tzolis, and made defender Piero Hincapie’s loan move permanent [1, 2]. Tzolis scored on his debut in the 4-1 pre-season win against Girona on August 2 [1, 2].
The club has been linked with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. [1, 2]. There is disagreement over Bruno Guimarães’ transfer status: some sources say Arsenal have only been linked with the player with no deal confirmed [1, 2], while others report an agreement in principle has been reached for a €90 million fee pending final bonuses and agent fees [3].
Compared with some of their Premier League rivals such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Chelsea, Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the transfer market [1, 2].
Arsenal will begin their defense of the Premier League title on August 21, hosting newly promoted Coventry City [1]. The club’s activity in the remaining days of the transfer window may shape their campaign as they look to improve competition within the squad and address any weaknesses identified by Arteta.
