Arsenal have completed their summer transfer business with major additions in midfield and defense. Here is a full review of the Gunners’ 2026 transfer window.

Arsenal entered the 2026 summer transfer window in an unusual position. Having finally won the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final the previous season, Mikel Arteta was not overseeing a rebuild. Instead, the task was to improve a squad that had already reached the top.

The Gunners ultimately focused their spending on strengthening the spine of the team. Bruno Guimaraes arrived from Newcastle United for a reported £75 million, while Ezri Konsa followed from Aston Villa. 

Piero Hincapie’s loan move was also made permanent, and Christos Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge to refresh the attack. Illan Meslier completed the senior arrivals on a free transfer.

Arsenal’s Biggest Summer Signings

Guimaraes was undoubtedly the statement signing. 

The Brazilian midfielder gives Arteta another elite option in the center of the pitch and could form a formidable midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. His ability to win the ball, carry possession and contribute in the final third makes him more than just a defensive midfielder.

The timing of Konsa’s arrival could prove equally important. Arsenal had already possessed considerable defensive depth, but William Saliba’s long-term injury increased the need for another experienced central defender. Konsa gives Arteta a Premier League-proven option who can slot directly into the backline.

Hincapie was arguably the easiest decision of the window. After making 39 appearances during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign, the Ecuador international had already demonstrated his value. Arsenal activated their option to make his move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, giving Arteta a defender capable of operating at both centre-back and left-back.

Tzolis represents the biggest question mark among the major arrivals. The Greek winger enjoyed an outstanding season at Club Brugge, registering 17 goals and 23 assists in the Belgian Pro League. Arsenal will hope he can translate that production to England and provide the creativity and directness lost with Leandro Trossard’s departure.

The Departures From The Emirates 

Arsenal’s business was not simply about adding players. Several members of last season’s squad moved on, with Trossard joining Besiktas, Jakub Kiwior making his move to Porto permanent and Christian Norgaard joining Everton. Karl Hein also left for Werder Bremen, while Reiss Nelson was released.

The biggest attacking departure was Gabriel Jesus, who joined Barcelona for a reported £8.6 million. The Brazilian had fallen down the pecking order but still offered Arteta experience and versatility across the frontline. Ethan Nwaneri also left on loan for Borussia Dortmund, while Fabio Vieira completed a permanent move to Hamburg.

There is plenty to like about Arsenal’s summer. Guimaraes dramatically improves an already excellent midfield, Konsa adds valuable defensive depth, and Hincapie gives Arteta another versatile defender. Tzolis also offers the possibility of becoming a productive long-term attacking option.

But the failure to land another marquee forward prevents the window from being completely convincing. Arsenal were linked with major attacking targets throughout the summer, including Vinicius Junior, Julian Alvarez and Morgan Rogers, but none arrived. Rogers eventually joined Chelsea, while Arsenal finished the window without the elite attacker many expected them to pursue.

That leaves Arsenal in an intriguing position. Their midfield may now be the deepest in the Premier League, while their defense has enough quality to survive injuries. The concern is whether Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Tzolis can provide enough attacking production across a season involving the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.

Overall, Arsenal’s transfer window looks more like strategic strengthening than a dramatic overhaul. The Gunners spent heavily where they saw genuine opportunities to improve, but the lack of another major attacking addition means Arteta will have to get even more from the forwards already at his disposal.