Why were Arsenal unable to sign a marquee attacker?

Arsenal missed out on Vinícius Júnior, who signed a new contract with Real Madrid, and Julián Álvarez, who made clear he had no intention of leaving Atlético Madrid. Their earlier pursuit of Morgan Rogers also did not produce a deal.

Is Gabriel Martinelli leaving Arsenal?

A move to Al-Hilal is expected in the coming days, with the Saudi Pro League window still open. It had not been completed at the time of the end-of-window assessment.

Who left Arsenal during the transfer window?

Gabriel Jesus joined Barcelona and Ethan Nwaneri moved to Borussia Dortmund. Gabriel Martinelli could follow them to Al-Hilal before the Saudi window closes.

Could Arsenal be short of attackers this season?

If Gabriel Martinelli leaves and injuries affect the squad, Arsenal could be left short of forward players because no marquee attacker was signed.

Football

Arsenal end transfer window without marquee attacker

The summer window closed with Arsenal empty-handed in their search for a marquee attacker, and Gabriel Martinelli's expected move to Al-Hilal could leave Arteta short up front.

By Sportsback1h ago

FIFA Club of the Century trophy, Real Madrid Museum, Madrid, Spain (Ank Kumar, Infosys Limited)

Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arsenal are reported to have ended the summer transfer window without the marquee attacking signing they had worked towards for much of the close season. Vinícius Júnior signed a new contract with Real Madrid after Arsenal had turned their attention to him, and Julián Álvarez made clear he had no intention of leaving Atlético Madrid in the final days of the window. The outcome has left Mikel Arteta with a thinner attacking group than expected, and Gabriel Martinelli's future remains unresolved.

How Arsenal's attacking search unravelled

Arsenal are understood to have started the window targeting Morgan Rogers, then switched their focus when that pursuit did not lead to a deal. The search quickly moved towards Vinícius Júnior, a player of the highest level, but the Real Madrid forward put the speculation to rest by signing a new contract. Julián Álvarez then ruled himself out of a move in the final days, leaving Arsenal to weigh whether any remaining target was worth pursuing.

Exits at the attacking end

Arsenal did sanction exits in the same area of the pitch, with Gabriel Jesus joining Barcelona and Ethan Nwaneri moving to Borussia Dortmund. The reasoning behind the exits may have been to clear room and funds for a single marquee arrival, but no arrival followed. Choosing not to compromise on the profile of player they wanted has left the squad with fewer established options in attack.

Martinelli's possible departure

The immediate uncertainty is Gabriel Martinelli. He is expected to complete a move to Al-Hilal in the coming days, and the Saudi Pro League window remains open. If the move goes through, a handful of injuries could leave Mikel Arteta short of forward players, because no marquee attacker was added before the window closed.

A quiet window in a busy market

Arsenal's quiet approach contrasts with the wider summer market, in which the British transfer record was equalled and one club signed no fewer than 18 players. It is the kind of window that tested clubs' resolve, and Arsenal's response was to stay out of the most expensive deals. Whether that proves disciplined or costly is the question now facing the club.

What remains unresolved

The closest piece of unfinished business involving Arsenal is Martinelli's possible move to Al-Hilal. Because the Saudi Pro League window remains open, it could still be completed in the coming days. Until his situation is resolved, the true depth of Arsenal's attack will not be known, and the club may have little time to react if he leaves.

Frequently asked questions

Why were Arsenal unable to sign a marquee attacker?: Arsenal missed out on Vinícius Júnior, who signed a new contract with Real Madrid, and Julián Álvarez, who made clear he had no intention of leaving Atlético Madrid. Their earlier pursuit of Morgan Rogers also did not produce a deal.
Is Gabriel Martinelli leaving Arsenal?: A move to Al-Hilal is expected in the coming days, with the Saudi Pro League window still open. It had not been completed at the time of the end-of-window assessment.
Who left Arsenal during the transfer window?: Gabriel Jesus joined Barcelona and Ethan Nwaneri moved to Borussia Dortmund. Gabriel Martinelli could follow them to Al-Hilal before the Saudi window closes.
Could Arsenal be short of attackers this season?: If Gabriel Martinelli leaves and injuries affect the squad, Arsenal could be left short of forward players because no marquee attacker was signed.