Arsenal Transfers 2025-26: Every Deal So Far

Arsenal transfers 2025-26 have already reshaped Mikel Arteta’s ambitions for a season that could finally return the Premier League crown to north London and push the Gunners deep into the Champions League knockout stages. After finishing a close third behind Liverpool and Manchester City last term, Edu and the recruitment team have moved quickly to close key gaps, improve depth and refresh the wage bill. Below is a constantly updated guide to every confirmed deal, the tactical thinking behind each move, and what it all means for Arsenal’s title charge.

Arsenal transfers 2025-26: Incoming business

Supporters demanded extra firepower and athleticism, and the club delivered:

• Victor Osimhen – £97m from Napoli
  Arteta finally lands a penalty-box predator who can press aggressively and finish ruthlessly. Osimhen’s arrival removes the reliance on Gabriel Jesus for goals and offers a frightening counter-attacking option.
• João Neves – £65m from Benfica
  The 21-year-old Portuguese metronome provides immediate rotation for Declan Rice in the No.6 role while possessing the vision to break lines from deep. His versatility allows a switch to a double pivot against elite continental opposition.
• David Raya – £27m permanent from Brentford
  The loan deal is now formalised, rewarding last season’s Golden Glove winner and ensuring continuity between the sticks.
• Samuel Iling-Junior – £18m from Juventus
  Raised at Chelsea’s academy, the explosive wing-back returns to England to challenge Oleksandr Zinchenko and offer a direct, dribbling threat down the left.
• Amario Cozier-Duberry – contract extension
  The academy winger signs until 2030, viewed internally as the next breakout talent off Hale End’s production line.

Key exits and loan moves

Every fresh face meant balancing the books. Major departures include:

• Thomas Partey – £22m to Fenerbahçe
  Persistent injuries and the need for younger legs made this an amicable exit, freeing wages for Neves.
• Eddie Nketiah – £28m to West Ham
  Desperate for a scorer, the Hammers turned to Hale End’s graduate, handing Arsenal funds toward Osimhen.
• Kieran Tierney – £15m to Newcastle
  A fan favourite whose style never fitted Arteta’s inverted full-back system, Tierney heads north for regular minutes.
• Arthur Okonkwo – Free to Wrexham
  The goalkeeper’s quest for footballing continuity continues in League One.
• Mauro Bandeira – season loan to Ipswich
  The Portugal U21 midfielder gains Championship experience, mirroring Emile Smith Rowe’s path of old.

How the squad now lines up

With these Arsenal transfers 2025-26, Arteta can field two competitive XIs:

Preferred league XI (4-3-3)

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Ødegaard, Havertz; Saka, Osimhen, Martinelli.

Rotation/Champions League group XI

Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Timber, Kiwior, Iling-Junior; Neves, Smith Rowe, Vieira; Nelson, Jesus, Trossard.

The addition of Osimhen unlocks different pressing triggers, allowing Ødegaard to roam higher while Rice drops between centre-backs to initiate build-up. Neves’ arrival further decreases the minutes burden on Rice, whose 53 appearances last season coincided with a late-spring fatigue dip.

Tactical impact of the headline arrivals

Osimhen’s vertical threat

The Nigerian’s blistering pace stretches deep-lying defences, creating wider lanes for Bukayo Saka to isolate full-backs. Expect more direct balls over the top from Saliba and Gabriel, especially against low-blocks that previously suffocated Arsenal’s intricate combinations.

Neves’ progressive passing

While Rice excels at destruction, Neves thrives on progression. His 9.8 progressive passes per 90 in Liga Portugal ranked top among under-23 midfielders. Arteta can now toggle between control and chaos depending on match state.

Iling-Junior’s inverted overlaps

In possessions where Martinelli holds the width, Iling-Junior can underlap to crash the half-space, mirroring Zinchenko’s midfield migrations but with extra acceleration.

Financial overview

Total spend: £207m
Sales & loan fees: £65m
Net spend: £142m

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has once again sanctioned heavy investment, yet wages remain within UEFA’s updated squad cost ratio thanks to departures and performance-based structures.

Reaction from inside the club

Technical director Edu told club media, “Our goal with these Arsenal transfers 2025-26 was twofold: maintain the young core that has taken us close, and add proven quality in areas that transform us from contenders into winners.” Captain Martin Ødegaard echoed the optimism: “You can sense a stronger mentality every new face brings. Competition for places is fierce, and that drives standards.”

How rivals are responding

Manchester City have countered by signing Florian Wirtz, while Liverpool offset Mohamed Salah’s Saudi departure with Nico Williams. Tottenham, keen to bridge a 17-point gap, landed Ivan Toney. The arms race shows no sign of slowing, but Arsenal’s early activity allows pre-season cohesion others may lack.

Watch-list: Potential late window surprises

Rumours persist around Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori should Gabriel receive an audacious Paris Saint-Germain bid. Meanwhile, Raya’s contract includes performance clauses that could push the fee to £30m. Even if no further Arsenal transfers 2025-26 materialise, the current squad depth is the strongest of the Emirates era.

Season outlook

Bookmakers now price Arsenal as second favourites for the Premier League at 5/2, marginally behind City but ahead of revamped Liverpool. In Europe, a quarter-final target feels realistic, with Osimhen’s knockout pedigree—remember his double versus Barcelona in 2024—adding belief.

Opinion: Why this window feels different

The Gunners have spent big before, yet this summer’s business appears smarter. Each incoming solves a clearly defined tactical problem rather than just adding star power. Osimhen provides the penalty-box menace missing since prime Aubameyang; Neves reduces Rice’s burnout risk; Iling-Junior modernises the left channel. If Arteta can manage rotation and avoid last season’s injury blip, Arsenal have every tool to topple City’s dynasty. The margin remains thin, but for once the Gunners’ destiny feels firmly in their own hands.