Arsenal are understood to be disappointed with the outcome of their summer transfer window after missing out on a series of high-profile attacking targets, including Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior.
The Premier League champions still have until 11pm BST on Tuesday, September 1, to complete a deal, but there has been little indication of a late breakthrough despite months of work on several ambitious moves.
The claims come from the Hand of Arsenal account, which said the club had spent much of the summer pursuing Rogers, Mikel Arteta’s preferred target. The England international ultimately left Aston Villa for Chelsea in July, signing a contract that runs until 2033.
Arsenal also explored a deal for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, although the Brazil international remained in Spain. Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola were considered as alternative options, but Alvarez is expected to stay at Atletico Madrid while Barcola completed a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Liverpool on August 31.
The account’s summary of Arsenal’s transfer planning also indicated that the club had shown interest in Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz earlier in the year, only to be told there was no prospect of a deal.
Arsenal’s attacking options under scrutiny
The lack of a major addition leaves Arteta facing renewed questions over the strength of his forward line. Arsenal won the Premier League last season, but their campaign was built heavily on defensive solidity and a potent set-piece record rather than consistent attacking fluency.
That shortfall was exposed in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, when Arsenal drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain before losing 4-3 on penalties. UEFA’s account of the match noted the limited number of clear chances created during the contest.
Supporters had hoped to see greater competition for places around Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres, but the club’s only notable attacking arrival has been Christos Tzolis. Arsenal have promoted the Greek forward’s potential, though he has limited experience at the highest level and may not immediately be ready to carry the burden of regular starts.
With the transfer deadline approaching, Arsenal’s recruitment team has little time left to address an area that was already viewed as a weakness. Unless a late agreement can be reached, Arteta will begin the defence of the Premier League title with largely the same attacking concerns that followed last season’s success.
