Arsenal dream squad for 2026/27 season after £80m lesson learned and six signings made

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With pre-season training already underway, Arsenal are entering a critical phase of the transfer window that will likely shape their upcoming campaign. After winning the 2025/26 Premier League title , the Gunners got their summer business off the ground by securing defender Piero Hincapie permanently for £34.5 million .

They also managed to pull off a smart sale, sending 31-year-old Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for roughly £17m as he entered the final year of his contract. His successor has also been targeted, with the signing of Christos Tzolis set to be announced this week . A £34m sum was agreed for the Club Brugge winger, who registered an incredible 51 goal involvements last term.

Still, several priority positions remain untouched. Arsenal are still short on a defender, central midfielder and a high-profile forward. The story of the summer has been rivals repeatedly beating them to key targets. Manchester City landed teenager Jeremy Monga, while Chelsea hijacked Arsenal for Morgan Rogers – paying Aston Villa's full £117m price tag after the Gunners backed off at an £80m valuation.

With time ticking down toward the September 1 deadline, sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta need to act fast. Here is a look at the essential moves the English champions must complete before the window closes if they want to give themselves the best shot at defending their title.

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The greatest obstacle to Arsenal's transfer business so far this summer has been their unwillingness to break the bank. While it is commendable that Berta refuses to pay over the odds for a player, he must acknowledge that the market is currently inflated and eye-watering fees are simply the price of doing business for elite talent - even if that means going £15-20m beyond an initial valuation.

Failing to do so while rivals such as Chelsea, Tottenham and City casually splash over £100m on a single player will only leave them short of the quality required once the season gets going. Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola are the two names consistently linked with a switch to the red half of north London, and both would command fees comfortably in excess of £100m.

To avoid a repeat of the Rogers situation, they must get the chequebook out. Barcola is a regular starter for France and fits the profile of player Arteta has been crying out for on the left flank — blistering pace and exceptional dribbling ability.

The winger is open to leaving PSG in pursuit of a more prominent role elsewhere and would be an outstanding alternative to Rogers for the Gunners. Any further hesitation only heightens the risk that Liverpool or another rival snaps him up, or that PSG refuse to sanction his departure if they run out of time to bring in a replacement.

Alvarez's situation remains equally interesting. The World Cup finalist is eager to join Barcelona, but Atletico Madrid are firmly opposed to strengthening a direct La Liga rival.

While Atletico maintain that Alvarez is not available, they are reportedly more receptive to approaches from Arsenal, though it would take a potentially record-breaking Premier League fee to persuade them to part ways with him.

Depending on the funds available and Atletico's final position, Berta must secure either Barcola or Alvarez within the coming weeks.

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Similar to the forward market, midfielders are commanding astronomical fees this summer. Earlier in the transfer window, the Gunners refused to splash the cash on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, both of whom joined rivals Tottenham.

They have subsequently pinpointed Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes as a main target, capable of either replacing or partnering Declan Rice, who has been managing an ongoing injury concern. The Brazilian midfielder is eager for a switch to north London, though the two clubs remain at odds over his price tag.

Arsenal have established a firm valuation for the player and will only advance with the transfer if Newcastle are prepared to negotiate within those boundaries. Considering the current market, £80m would represent a sensible maximum offer for Guimaraes.

Should Newcastle insist on an even higher sum, Berta should concentrate all of his efforts on securing Alex Scott, a younger alternative with considerable resale potential in the future unlike Guimaraes, from Bournemouth. Reports indicate Scott has recently rejected a new contract with the Cherries amid attention from several Premier League sides, including Arsenal, suggesting he would be obtainable if the Guimaraes deal fails to materialise.

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The defence is also in need of immediate attention. At the start of the summer, Arsenal were understood to be in the hunt for a new right-back, given the persistent injury concerns surrounding Jurrien Timber and Ben White.

However, White has since returned to training while Timber is closing in on his own return. Instead, central defence has become a problem area for Arteta, with L’Equipe reporting William Saliba could be sidelined for as long as four to five months, with surgery potentially necessary to resolve his persistent back issue.

Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa is reported to have emerged as a possible target. However, Villa are reluctant to let the England defender leave and have reportedly placed a substantial price tag of between £50m to £60m on him.

Such a sum is excessive for someone who would merely provide cover for Saliba once the Frenchman makes his return. Moreover, Cristian Mosquera has already demonstrated his capability in filling Saliba's shoes and Konsa would hinder the youngster's development.

A more astute alternative would be to sign John Stones, who departed Manchester City this summer, on a free transfer. There are undeniably question marks surrounding the World Cup star's fitness record and capacity to remain available over an extended spell.

But Arsenal don't require a long-term replacement for Saliba, simply an experienced head who can rotate with Mosquera until their key man is back in contention. And, considering he previously worked with the player at City, Stones would represent Arteta's perfect solution.

Here is how Arsenal’s full squad list could look at the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season, with incomings and outgoings considered:

Goalkeepers : David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Illan Meslier.

Defenders: Jurrien Timber, Ben White, William Saliba, John Stones, Cristian Mosquera, Marli Salmon, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie.

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri.

Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Max Dowman, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Bradley Barcola, Christos Tzolis, Gabriel Martinelli.

Sold: Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard.