Arsenal hesitate while rivals secure top targets ahead of deadline | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Summer Drift: Quiet Moves, Loud Questions

It has been another week of waiting in North London, a period defined not by signings or statements, but by the absence of them. Arsenal, touted as Premier League title contenders for a second consecutive summer, are once again caught between what they are supposed to be and what they actually are — a club with clear ambition but little visible movement.

This is not necessarily a cause for panic. It is, however, cause for scrutiny.

Lack of urgency around striker targets

Arsenal have made no significant progress in their pursuit of a new striker, despite having known for months that this was a pressing need. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres remain the top options.

Photo: IMAGO

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has made his position clear. In quotes carried by Record, Varandas said, “We said two things (at the start of the season): that we would not demand €100million and that the value would depend on the performance of Viktor.”

The performance in question? Sixty-three goals and 17 assists for club and country. “Even then, Sporting will not demand his release clause. But people should know that threats, blackmail and insults will not work with me,” he added. “He won’t leave here for €60million plus €10m in add-ons.”

Photo IMAGO

This kind of public standoff may deter Arsenal, or at least offer them a convenient exit route. But the larger question is why a club so obviously in need of a striker still has nothing to show for its efforts weeks into the window.

Missed chances on wide targets

While Arsenal’s striker shortlist stagnates, options in wide areas have also been slipping through their fingers. There were talks with Leroy Sane, but as The Athletic report, the German is now on the verge of joining Galatasaray.

Photo: IMAGO

Sverre Nypan, the Norwegian teenager once admired at London Colney, is set to join Manchester City. Neither were essential targets, but both signings would have represented the type of strategic depth Arsenal still lack when compared with their rivals.

Photo: IMAGO

Instead, the attention is now on more established and expensive names. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon are both of interest, but neither will come cheap. Rodrygo, in particular, would be a statement addition, though the feasibility of such a deal in a market where Arsenal have historically operated with caution feels doubtful.

Photo IMAGO

Balancing depth and ambition

There is a sense, once again, that Arsenal are trapped in the in-between. Not quite title-ready, but not quite rebuilding either. Mikel Arteta wants another central defender, ideally one who can rotate with Gabriel and Saliba. Marc Guehi is admired, but the prospect of him accepting a squad role seems unlikely.

Photo: IMAGO

Similarly, if Thomas Partey’s contract is not renewed, Arsenal may move for another midfielder. But again, there is no clear succession plan in place, and no sign that such a move is imminent. Partey himself seemed resigned to the situation when speaking to TV3 Ghana: “I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to my agent and the club. I just want to enjoy football.”

Photo IMAGO

In a week where Reiss Nelson could be heading back to Fulham and the window is open for business, Arsenal’s outgoings seem more likely than incomings.

Planning versus execution

Arsenal’s activity, or lack thereof, speaks to a familiar theme. The plans are always coherent. The strategy is evident. But the execution remains cautious, sometimes excessively so.

The interest in players like Rodrygo or Gyokeres points to ambition. But without decisive movement, that ambition risks being interpreted as something more hollow. Football, particularly at the elite end, rarely waits for anyone. If Arsenal’s primary targets continue to drift elsewhere, the pressure will mount — not just on Arteta, but on the entire recruitment structure at the Emirates.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

There is an eerie sense of déjà vu here. Another summer, another window full of interest, admiration, and assessment, but no arrivals. Arsenal supporters are constantly told to trust the process, to believe in the long-term vision. But when their top striker targets have yet to receive any form of an offer and they’re losing out on fringe targets like Nypan and Sane without batting an eyelid, it starts to feel like more than just prudence. It feels like hesitation.

The quotes from Sporting’s president make one thing clear — this will not be a straightforward deal. But is Arsenal’s reluctance financial, strategic, or just fear of failure? Arsenal talk about going to the next level, but actions speak louder than briefings.

Rodrygo sounds exciting, but does anyone believe Real Madrid will let him go without a fee that borders on absurd? And even if they do, do Arsenal have the ruthlessness to get the deal done before someone else swoops in?