Mikel Arteta wants to complete ‘unique’ Arsenal transfer as deadline set

Arsenal want to sign a ‘unique attacking player’ within the next two transfer windows. The Gunners had to wait until deadline day to bring in another forward this summer, with Raheem Sterling arriving on loan from Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta targeted Nico Williams, who impressed for Spain at Euro 2024 and Athletic Bilbao last season. Arteta looked at him as a winger who could make a difference against top European opposition. Arsenal were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final last term.

Alongside Williams, Benjamin Sesko and Jamal Musiala were both on the shopping list, according to The Times. Sesko, who scored a fine hat-trick for Slovenia on Monday, decided to commit his long-term future to RB Leipzig, while Musiala stood out for Germany despite their quarter-final exit at the Euros.

It’s added that the Gunners re-attempt to sign what is described as a ‘unique attacker’ by the end of next summer. That gives Arsenal two transfer windows to try and get one over the line, with Williams and Musiala both seen as players who have the potential to become superstars and would be an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli.

Arteta also would like to sign a young defensive midfielder and upgrade other areas of the team. The Gunners ended up bringing in five players during the summer window. David Raya made his loan switch permanent in a £27m deal from Brentford, Riccardo Calafiori joined from Bologna for £42m, Mikel Merino moved from Real Sociedad for £28.4m plus add-ons before Neto signed from Bournemouth and Sterling arrived on deadline day.

As for those heading out of the exit doors, Emile Smith Rowe was sold to Fulham for £27m plus £7m add-ons, Crystal Palace signed Eddie Nketiah for £25m and Aaron Ramsdale joined Southampton for £18m, combining to a potential income of As well as this, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Viera and Karl Hein were among those to depart on loan, while Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares left at the end of their contracts.

Arsenal head to Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday looking to bounce back from the 1-1 draw against Brighton before the international break. Arteta will be without Declan Rice for the trip to Spurs after his red card versus the Seagulls, while up to six players could be out through injury.

Martin Odegaard is set to be sidelined after suffering an ankle problem while playing for Norway on Monday, Mikel Merino is out with a shoulder problem and Riccardo Calafiori could be absent after being stretchered off during Italy’s win over France. Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus are fighting fit.