Arsenal have transfer no-brainer to revolutionise Mikel Arteta's team after £27m blow

Mikel Arteta must sanction another marquee Arsenal transfer after a nightmare scenario played out during their pre-season friendly defeat to Villareal.

The Gunners have already spent nearly £200million on six new signings with the bulk of that going on Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi. Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera have also signed to add needed depth to Arteta's squad.

In comparison to last summer's window, the Gunners have sanctioned some much bigger moves ahead of the 2025/26 season and yet it still feels as though a piece is missing.

Madueke is capable of covering both flanks but his preference is to play on the right and yet Bukayo Saka has made that position his own. As things stand, Arsenal's new signing, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson are the players that can be deployed off the left.

The latter has been bright in pre-season but looks set to depart imminently after being left out of the squad to face Villareal. Trossard, who could depart two-and-a-half years on from joining in a £27million deal, was also missing because of injury with issues also stopping Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz from featuring.

That saw Martinelli play the majority of the contest but he failed to make a noticeable impact with the Brazil international missing many opportunities to play Gyokeres in. Frustration at his lack of conviction in front of goal is also building with it clear a marquee left-winger is still needed.

Links to Eberechi Eze remain strong but the Gunners really need a profile similar to Martinelli and the Crystal Palace man is far from that. An interest in Rodrygo has been present for some time but his attacking numbers, particularly on his favoured left flank, leave a lot to be desired.

Tentative links to AC Milan's Rafael Leao arrived early into the window and as the Italian giants have no European football for the upcoming season, he could be tempted to seal a switch. Despite Milan's disappointing campaign, Leao was a bright spark as he contributed to 25 goals across 50 appearances.

Martinelli meanwhile, managed just 16 and given Leao's traits, it would be an upgrade in that position. The only issue is that he will likely cost a premium especially as the new season starts very soon.

However, if Arsenal can fast-track a number of exits, funds could become available and breaking the bank on Leao could hand Arteta a needed edge to his attack that is also capable of taking the Gunners up to that next level.

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