The November international break provided Arsenal with an opportunity to plot their transfer moves for 2025.
Manager Mikel Arteta, managing director Richard Garlick, executive vice-chair Tim Lewis and interim sporting director Jason Ayto were among the group who flew to Los Angeles to meet with the Kroenkes.
“It is always really positive to spend time together,” said Arteta. “Obviously we had time to talk about the windows, but as well about the club.
“How they are feeling about what we are doing, how we are feeling about where we want to take the club, the next direction, obviously (outgoing sporting director) Edu.”
Arsenal know they are at a point in their trajectory where they need to take the final step of winning major honours. Arteta and Edu designed a five-stage plan for Arsenal’s future, and considered the club to be at stage four. The two transfer windows of 2025 could provide them with an opportunity to move into that final phase.
What positions will they be looking at in 2025?
As in the summer of 2024, Arsenal would like to add to their attacking options. That includes the potential addition of a new centre-forward.
They are also open to adding a wide player, particularly someone who can provide competition and cover for Bukayo Saka on the right. If an obvious upgrade became available on the left wing, that too would be of interest. Raheem Sterling’s loan deal from Chelsea comes with no buy clause attached, so is not expected to be an encumbrance.
Arsenal are likely to have other business to attend to in 2025. There is an acknowledgement within the club that the midfield requires some rejuvenation. Recent signings such as Jorginho and Mikel Merino have been at the more experienced end of the spectrum. Jorginho and Thomas Partey are both due to run out of contract next summer, and Arsenal may look to freshen up their midfield with a more youthful addition.
The goalkeeping position is also likely to require some attention. Although David Raya is now under long-term contract, deputy Neto is only on loan from Bournemouth. Arsenal also hoped to sign an experienced third-choice goalkeeper last summer. If Neto does not join permanently, they might pick up that search again.
Are there any players they are already looking at?
In an ideal world, Alexander Isak is precisely the type of forward Arteta would love to add to his attack: athletic, intelligent, versatile and Premier League-ready. The obvious obstacle, however, is cost. With Newcastle desperate to hold onto their star striker, such a deal might not prove feasible.
Newcastle are reluctant to lose their star striker Alexander Isak (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Last summer, Arsenal were interested in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, and are likely to return to the table should he leave Germany next summer. There are other attacking targets in mind, with Arsenal prepared to move for a goalscoring wide player if a centre-forward proves elusive.
Having signed a number of experienced players such as Jorginho, Neto and Merino, there is a desire among the club’s leadership to return the focus to younger players who represent a better profile of investment.
Who will they be looking to sell?
A move for a new forward could see Arsenal part ways with Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian, who joined the club in 2022, has struggled for form and fitness of late.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is another whose future could be in some doubt. His contract expires in the summer of 2026, and as yet there is no news on a potential extension. With Riccardo Calafiori having emerged as Arteta’s first-choice left-back, and the emergence of academy player Myles Lewis-Skelly, Zinchenko could be deemed dispensable.
Polish international defender Jakub Kiwior is another who may look to move in order to play regular first-team football. The 24-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game this season.
Jakub Kiwior has been unable to retain the place he earned towards the end of last season (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal will also be looking for permanent takers for players currently out on loan, such as Albert Sambi Lokonga (Sevilla) and Reiss Nelson (Fulham). Nuno Tavares’ loan move to Lazio is also expected to convert to a permanent deal.
Who will make the key decisions over the two windows?
It is an interesting question after Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, resigned earlier in November. He was the person primarily charged with leading the club’s recruitment.
His deputy, Jason Ayto, has stepped up on an interim basis. Much of the work overseen by Edu remains in place: Arsenal have collated lists of targets for the forthcoming windows, and work is already underway on building the relationships required to pull off the deals.
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Ayto was among the group who flew to the U.S. to meet with the ownership. That same football committee will meet regularly to decide on transfer matters for the time being. While Arteta and Ayto will lead on talent identification, the newly-arrived director of football operations, James King, will be charged with the contractual and legal aspects of putting a deal together — and is likely to be supported in that role by Garlick.
While Arsenal’s recruitment is a collaborative process, the opinion of manager Arteta has tended to hold the most sway. Given that Ayto is new to the position, that seems likely to continue.
What is their PSR position? What sort of budget do they have?
Arsenal recouped significant funds in 2024 through the sale of players including Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Aaron Ramsdale, so their net spend was not particularly high. This was done by design: by off-setting purchases against sales, Arsenal fortified their profit and sustainability (PSR) position and ensured they should have significant flexibility in the market moving forward.
It is worth noting that the club aspire to return to a self-sustaining model. That makes the revenue provided by Champions League qualification absolutely essential. If Arsenal want to continue spending on top talent, it is vital they remain part of Europe’s top club competition.
(Top photos: Getty Images)
