Arsenal transfer news: Arsenal sit top of the Premier League with 27 points from 10 games, yet Saturday’s 1-0 win over Hull City showed where the frustration lies. Mikel Arteta’s side had 21 shots and 67 per cent of the possession but needed until the 72nd minute for Martin Ødegaard to break through, their sixth league win by a single goal. Seven clean sheets keep the defence out of the argument, so attention now turns forward.
The summer cut deep into the front line. Gabriel Martinelli joined Al-Hilal, Leandro Trossard left for Besiktas in a £17m deal, and Gabriel Jesus signed for Barcelona at £8.6m. Christos Tzolis, a £34m signing from Club Brugge, was the only attacker to arrive, leaving Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz to carry the responsibility.
Midfield tells a different story. Martin Zubimendi played all 38 league games in last season’s title run, yet Bruno Guimarães’ arrival has pushed him down the order, and he has managed only 380 minutes in 12 appearances this term. Declan Rice and Guimarães now form Arteta’s preferred midfield pairing.
Four wingers on Arteta’s list
According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Arteta wants a winger who adds pace and transition ability. Atlético Madrid’s Alex Baena, Real Madrid’s Endrick, RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa and Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi make up the list, with Kroupi the ideal candidate, but Bournemouth are unlikely to sell before the summer.
Funding hinges on Zubimendi, with interest from Real Madrid, Atlético and Chelsea. Delaney doesn’t rule out a swap, which would let Arsenal return for Kroupi later.
Kroupi, 20, scored a teenage-record 13 league goals last season but has only three substitute appearances since a foot injury. Baena, 25, has five goals and three assists in 12 La Liga games. Mourinho has ruled out an Endrick loan, and Leipzig reportedly won’t sell Nusa (six goals, seven assists in 14 games) mid-season.
Arsenal transfer news: Should Arsenal sell Zubimendi to fund a winger?
Yes, but only for Baena or a fee that funds Kroupi. Those 380 minutes make Zubimendi the obvious sale, and three suitors add leverage. Baena led La Liga for chances created in 2024/25, and that creativity answers Arsenal’s struggle to turn dominance into goals better than Kroupi’s finishing, which comes with few touches and a fitness gap. Baena scored only twice last season, so Arsenal shouldn’t pay for a hot run. Endrick and Nusa look blocked. If Atlético keep Baena, Arsenal should keep Zubimendi and wait for Kroupi in June.
