Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League with 70 points from 31 games, but the conversation is already shifting toward what comes next. Sporting director Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta are pushing for a controlled overhaul this summer, aiming to strengthen a squad that has challenged on multiple fronts this season.
The club plan to raise funds by listening to offers for several first-team players, including academy products Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, to generate pure profit for new marquee signings. Work on next season’s squad is already underway, so here are five players Arsenal really need to bring through the Emirates doors.
5 players Arsenal Must sign in the summer of 2026
1. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Left Winger, PSG
Both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are entering the final year of their contracts, which makes the left wing a massive priority. Kvaratskhelia brings the kind of game-changing, unpredictable spark that separates good teams from great ones. He has 12 goals and seven assists for PSG this season, but the stats don’t tell the whole story. He wins matches through individual moments of brilliance. Arsenal need someone who can change a game even when the team isn’t playing perfectly, and Kvara is that player.
2. Sandro Tonali — Central Midfielder, Newcastle
Arsenal have a serious interest in Tonali as part of Arteta’s reported move for a trio from Newcastle this summer. The Italian brings an aggressive, ball-winning style to the midfield that Arteta’s squad still needs. Thomas Partey’s exit left a gap that hasn’t been filled yet, and Tonali’s ability to press, carry the ball, and control the tempo is exactly what Arsenal are looking for, not just another passer, but a midfielder who can physically change the game.
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3. Julián Álvarez — Striker, Atlético Madrid
Arsenal’s recruitment team has made Álvarez a primary target, though a move likely hinges on a big-name leaving the frontline, with either Viktor Gyökeres or Kai Havertz expected to move on first. That shouldn’t stop them from going after him. Álvarez plays with an intensity and intelligence that fit Arteta’s high-press system perfectly. His movement across the front line gives Arsenal something they don’t currently have, which is a striker who makes everyone around him better rather than just waiting for service.
4. Tino Livramento — Right Back, Newcastle
The 23-year-old Newcastle defender is seen as the perfect versatile full-back for Arsenal, though his injury record this season is being watched closely. With Ben White likely leaving, that right-back slot is wide open, and Livramento fills it with energy and technical quality. The injury concerns are there, but manageable. Arsenal’s medical staff are top-tier, and a player like him is a smart long-term investment rather than a quick fix.
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5. Anthony Gordon — Winger, Newcastle
Gordon is high on Arsenal’s list as they look to fix their left-wing depth, though he could easily slot in on the right or rotate across the front three. His non-stop pressing, direct behind runs, and Premier League experience make him a great fit for a squad that still feels a bit thin in attack. While Kvaratskhelia can win games on his own, Gordon wins them through pure work rate and persistence, and Arsenal need both.
