🔴 Arsenal’s Ambitious Summer: Zubimendi Signed, Gyökeres on the Brink, and More on the Way…read more…

As the summer transfer window heats up, Arsenal Football Club are making bold and strategic moves to reshape their squad and challenge for top honours in the 2025/26 season. After a mixed 2024/25 campaign that saw moments of promise but ultimately fell short of silverware, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board are wasting no time in rebuilding the team. With a mix of proven talents, promising signings, and aggressive transfer pursuits, the Gunners are clearly aiming for more than just a top-four finish.

Let’s break down the biggest developments.

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✅ Zubimendi Arrives: Midfield Engine Secured

On July 6, 2025, Arsenal officially completed the signing of Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for just over £55 million. The 26-year-old Spanish defensive midfielder arrives with a sterling reputation for composure, vision, and ball-winning intelligence.

Zubimendi is seen as a direct upgrade and successor to the outgoing Jorginho, who returned to Brazil to join Flamengo earlier this summer. With Thomas Partey also departing after injury troubles and inconsistency, Zubimendi’s arrival solidifies a crucial area of the pitch. Arteta is expected to pair him with Declan Rice, forming a midfield partnership that could rival the best in Europe.

Zubimendi’s tactical versatility, intelligence, and passing range make him a dream fit for Arteta’s possession-oriented style. He will likely take up the deep-lying playmaker role, freeing Rice to venture forward more often — a tactical evolution fans have long been eager to see.

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🔜 Viktor Gyökeres: The Missing Piece Up Front?

Next on the agenda is Viktor Gyökeres, the powerful Swedish striker currently plying his trade at Sporting Lisbon. Arsenal are in advanced negotiations, and as of July 9, reports indicate they’re just €5 million short of meeting Sporting’s €70 million demand.

Gyökeres, 27, had an outstanding 2024/25 season, bagging 43 goals in all competitions and turning heads across Europe. He’s physical, intelligent in movement, and has the clinical edge that Arsenal’s front line lacked in big moments last season.

Crucially, Gyökeres has already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal and is reportedly eager to join Arteta’s project — to the point of threatening to skip pre-season if the move doesn’t materialize soon. That kind of commitment has fans excited, and Arsenal will be keen to finalize the deal before they begin their U.S. tour on July 19.

If completed, this transfer could be transformative. While Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have shown flashes of brilliance, neither has consistently delivered the goals to win titles. Gyökeres could change that.

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🔄 Noni Madueke & Eberechi Eze: Speed and Creativity Incoming?

In what appears to be a dual-pronged approach to supercharge their attacking creativity, Arsenal are also eyeing Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.

⚡ Noni Madueke

Madueke, 23, is reportedly already in agreement on personal terms with Arsenal. The Chelsea winger is known for his explosive pace and direct style — attributes Arsenal sorely lacked on the right flank. Negotiations with Chelsea are said to be in early stages, but a bid between £40–50 million could seal the deal.

🎨 Eberechi Eze

Meanwhile, Arsenal are preparing a swap-plus-cash deal to outmaneuver Tottenham for Eze, one of the Premier League’s most elegant and technically gifted attackers. Palace have set a hefty price tag, but Arsenal are confident in their offer — especially with squad players like Smith Rowe or Nelson potentially heading the other way.

Adding Eze and Madueke would give Arteta an embarrassment of riches in the final third — with Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Leandro Trossard also in the mix. It would also allow greater tactical flexibility, enabling Arsenal to shift formations when needed.

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🧤 Kepa Joins, Nørgaard Incoming

Another confirmed addition is former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joins for a modest £5 million fee. With Aaron Ramsdale’s future still uncertain, and David Raya’s long-term loan set to expire, Kepa adds experience and depth in goal.

Also expected to sign is Christian Nørgaard, the Danish midfielder and former Brentford captain. While he may not start every match, his leadership, energy, and Premier League experience make him a shrewd depth signing.

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✍️ Outgoings and Squad Refresh

This summer has also seen a number of high-profile exits:

• Jorginho (Flamengo)

• Kieran Tierney (rejoined Celtic)

• Takehiro Tomiyasu (contract expired)

These departures, while emotional for fans, have freed up both wages and squad space for new arrivals — part of Arteta’s long-term vision to reduce the squad’s injury-prone tendencies and improve consistency.

Additionally, key players like Gabriel Magalhães and young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly have signed long-term extensions, securing Arsenal’s core for years to come.

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🧠 Coaching Reshuffle: Heinze Joins the Staff

In a surprise but exciting move, Arsenal confirmed that Gabriel Heinze has joined the club as part of Arteta’s coaching team. The former Argentina international brings grit, tactical insight, and South American flair to the training ground.

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🔮 Looking Ahead: Serious Contenders?

With Zubimendi already signed and Gyökeres almost secured, Arsenal have already made some of the most impactful moves of any Premier League side this summer. If they can follow up with one or two more key signings — particularly in attack — they will head into the new season with renewed ambition and balance.

Mikel Arteta now has the opportunity to blend youth, energy, and experience, all while maintaining the progressive football Arsenal fans have come to love. But this time, with the right firepower, trophies may no longer be out of reach.

Could 2025/26 be the season Arsenal finally return to the summit of English football?

Stay tuned — the Gunners mean business.

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