After securing their first Premier League title in 22 long years, you would be forgiven for thinking that Arsenal would enter the new campaign the same way they ended the previous one.
However, Mikel Arteta and the club’s hierarchy are using the summer transfer as an opportunity to wipe the floor with every club in the division for many years to come.
Christos Tzolis, a winger who scored 22 times across all competitions last term, has already arrived at the Emirates for a reported £34m from Belgian side Club Brugge.
However, another mammoth deal now appears close to being completed, which could see the club’s midfield department reach the next level in the process.
Why Arsenal’s midfield issue is a welcomed problem for Arteta
On Wednesday morning, it was confirmed that Arsenal had reached a full agreement with Newcastle United for the £75m signing of midfielder Bruno Guimarães.
The saga has been one that has been ongoing over recent weeks, but the end now appears in sight, as the player is travelling to North London to complete the formalities of the deal.
The 28-year-old will add further top-class quality to Arteta’s senior ranks, after ending the 2025/26 Premier League campaign on 14 combined goals and assists.
The Brazilian will join the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze in the midfield department, which could hand the Gunners boss continued selection headaches.
|
Most PL mins played by Arsenal midfielders (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Tally |
|
Declan Rice |
3099 |
|
Martin Zubimendi |
3001 |
|
Eberechi Eze |
1900 |
|
Martin Odegaard |
1370 |
|
Mikel Merino |
1027 |
|
Ethan Nwaneri |
165 |
|
Max Dowman |
153 |
|
Christian Norgaard |
101 |
However, every manager would love to have such an issue within his squad, with the Spaniard in desperate need of strength in depth to be competitive on all fronts.
The aforementioned options are undoubtedly some of the very best in England’s top-flight, which could see the Gunners go back to back in their efforts in the Premier League.
However, the next big stepping stone is the Champions League, with one other player being lined up to help the Gunners end their wait for a major European trophy.
How Arsenal can land a star just like Vinicius Junior
Despite the ongoing deal for Guimaraes, all Arsenal supporters will be desperate to hear the latest on their proposed efforts to land Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior this summer.
The Brazilian, who has one year left on his deal at the Bernabeu, has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates – which could see a club-record deal being forked out for his signature.
The deal to land the two-time Champions League winner will no doubt be huge ask, which has seen the hierarchy draw up a list of potential alternatives in recent weeks.
Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye is just one player who’s been on the club’s shortlist, but he too could cost a pretty penny during the last month of the window.
Ben Jacobs has provided the latest on the deal, stating over on YouTube: “I heard the other day that Iliman Ndiaye is a player that Arsenal really like. He’s rejected a contract proposal at Everton for now.
“Al Hilal are working on that deal, maybe they’ll pull it off, but Arsenal are one of the clubs that made an enquiry.”
Whilst Jacobs fails to mention a fee for the Senegalese international, other sources have claimed that the Toffees would demand at least £75m to sell the 26-year-old.
There’s no denying the Gunners faithful will want Vinicius to be their main attacking target, but a deal for Ndiaye would still be a massive coup this window, with ‘enquiry’ suggesting that talks have already been held.
His stats from last season showcase his similarity to the Brazilian, which could see him become the next best option for Arteta’s men in an attempt to improve the forward line.
Ndiaye’s biggest asset to his game in 2025/26 was his dribbling, as seen by his remarkable tally of 2.4 successful take-ons per 90 and his 55% dribble success rate.
Both of the figures are comparable to the Madrid star, who also caught the eye with his own dribbling figures, with the Toffees star actually completing more of his take-on attempts.
The aforementioned figures are higher than 85% of other attackers in England’s top-flight, which could see him reach the next level under Arteta’s guidance upon any move.
Like the Brazil international, his best role is undoubtedly off the left-hand side of the attack – therefore allowing him to cut inside onto his favoured right foot.
As a result, Ndiaye registered a 51% shot on target accuracy rate – a tally higher than Vinicius – which saw him net a goal of the season contender against Chelsea last term.
The 26-year-old even took his talent onto the international stage with Senegal at the recent World Cup – subsequently registering three combined goals and assists in just 113 minutes.
Such a tally was just two fewer than that Brazilian, but he managed to achieve his tally despite featuring for over 320 minutes less than the Madrid sensation.
£75m for Ndiaye may be seen as a somewhat expensive addition for Arteta’s men, but it would see a proven Premier League option arrive at the Emirates before the 2026/27 campaign.
He’s showcased he’s capable of producing the goods in such a division, which could see him reach the next level when featuring alongside more elite-level talents.
It could prove to be a bitter blow in their pursuit of Vinicius, but the Senegalese star would undoubtedly be a cheaper yet just as effective option for the Gunners.