Arabic version: أرسنال يواجه تساؤلات هجومية بعد نافذة الانتقالات

According to BBC News, Arsenal entered the summer transfer window seeking a game-changing attacker after winning their first title in 22 years, but did not sign one of their leading forward targets. Manager Mikel Arteta had called for business that was “very ambitious, very fast, and very smart” following the Champions League final defeat by Paris St-Germain in May.

The club considered Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Jr. Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius Jr was linked to his Real Madrid contract situation, but the Spanish club offered him a larger package. Arsenal maintained an £80m valuation of Rogers before Chelsea paid £117m, while Liverpool signed Barcola. Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez returned to training after a proposed move did not materialise.

Arsenal did strengthen elsewhere, bringing in Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes for £75m, Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa for £55m, Piero Hincapie on a permanent £34.5m deal and Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m. Konsa arrived with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber injured, despite taking Arsenal’s senior defender total to eight. Guimaraes has been described by some as one of the window’s leading signings.

Outgoing business has intensified concern over the forward line. Leandro Trossard joined Besiktas for £15.3m, Christian Norgaard was sold to Everton for £7m and Gabriel Martinelli is close to a move worth about £60m to Al-Hilal. Gabriel Jesus has also joined Barcelona for £12.8m. With Martinelli and Trossard gone, Eberechi Eze could receive more opportunities on the left, where he played impressively against Aston Villa. Arsenal can revisit their search in January or next summer, but questions over the absence of a new elite forward may persist if goals become difficult to find.