Arteta adamant Gunners will not sit still on transfers

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 3, 2026

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the club plans to continue pursuing new signings before the summer transfer window closes to strengthen the squad ahead of their Premier League title defense. This approach reflects Arsenal’s intent to maintain competitiveness against rivals who have been active in the market, with key matches like the Community Shield against Manchester City and the league opener against Coventry City approaching.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the club’s intention to remain active in the transfer market ahead of the close of the summer window, emphasizing the team’s commitment to strengthening the squad as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.

Following a 4-1 pre-season friendly victory against Girona on Saturday, Arteta expressed confidence that further player movements would occur in the coming weeks. While the manager declined to comment on specific targets, recent reports have linked Arsenal with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. Arteta underscored the club’s ambition to closely compete with their Premier League rivals, some of whom have already made significant signings this summer.

“We want to get better like anybody else,” Arteta said. “You can see the transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing. We won’t sit still and are very ambitious with what we are doing. The margins are very small, we want to get better and the level is going to increase. We need to increase the competition internally, make sure we identify the things we don’t have in the team.”

So far this summer, Arsenal have secured the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie, who spent the previous season on loan at the Emirates Stadium. The club has also added goalkeeper Illan Meslier and forward Christos Tzolis. The signings reflect Arsenal’s ongoing efforts to bolster key positions ahead of the new campaign.

Arsenal’s title defence is set to begin on August 21 with a home match against Championship winners Coventry City. Prior to the league opener, the Gunners will face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 in Cardiff, further testing their readiness against high-caliber opposition.

The Premier League champions are balancing the need for squad reinforcement with maintaining a competitive edge against rivals, including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Chelsea, who have been more active in the transfer market. Arsenal’s approach suggests a strategic build focused on internal competition and targeted acquisitions as they aim to sustain their success.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.