By DJ
August 27 2025
So, at the end of July I posted about what a wonderful transfer window it was. And guess what ? It got even better !
At that point we had recruited a huge upgrade as our back-up keeper (Kepa), a very promising young defender (Mosquera), a world class midfielder/playmaker (Zubimendi), a decent back-up holding midfielder (Norgaard), an England international forward (Madueke) and one of the most internationally sought after goalscorers (Gyokeres).
Since then we have added a boyhood Arsenal fan Eze – a terrific versatile forward who can play as an 8 / 10 or on the wing. And it looks likely we will add another top ranking defender in Hincapie. A further left wing signing is unlikely but not impossible too.
We sold Tavares and Marquinhos. Tierney, Tomiyasu, Partey have left. Hein has gone on loan. It looks very likely that Kiwior is being sold. We are actively trying to offload Zinchenko, Vieira, Lokinga and Nelson.
During the window we also renewed long-term contracts for key players like Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri which is a really significant vote of confidence in the club and the manager as they all could have had their pick of top clubs in Europe if they felt that club was not ambitious enough. And all the mood music suggests that Saliba and Saka are due to follow. And of course the manager and club have skilfully handled the development of what might prove to be our most prized asset of the lot – Dowman.
We are left with a daunting squad – as good as any other in the PL and right up there with the best in Europe too:
Raya (Kepa) + Setford
Timber (White), Saliba (Mosquera), Gabriel (Hincapie), Lewis-Skelly (Calafiori)
Odegaard (Nwaneri), Zubimendi (Norgaard), Rice (Merino) + Dowman
Saka (Madueke), Gyokeres (Havertz), Eze (Martinelli) + Jesus & Trossard
Previously I gave the window a 9/10 (only the ill-advised attempt to give Partey a new contract stopped me giving it a 10). Now with the extra progress over the last month the window surely deserves 9.5/10. I cannot remember in all my 60 years supporting the club a better transfer window. I think we will win the PL with this squad.
Quote:Ares
Since you brought Edu into the conversation:
Zubimendi is actually Edu and Ayto's Signing.
They did the deal and both clubs kept it on the shelf for the right time (largely dictated by Sociedad's Tax Reporting and FFP compliance) They had to lock the deal into the 2025/2026 Uefa and La Liga Monitoring Period.
I know people don't actually care about the truth.
But Edu and Ayto deserve their flowers for The Arsenal Summer 2025 Transfer Window.
Also Our Vice Chairman who made the Deal to sign Eze with Palace's Chairman on 10 August (after previously obtaining permission for Arteta and Berta to meet Eze in June/July 2025.
Our Vice Chairman and our Chairman by the way are the clubs 2 best deal makers. They've signed and negotiated hundreds of player contracts over the years for Arsenal (and West Brom). They have a tremendous amount of contacts and relationships which they've developed (over decades) in England (and in Europe).
Our Vice Chairman and Palace's Chairman have developed a solid working relationship:
2022/2023 Lokonga to Palace
[www.arsenal.com]
2023/2024 Holding to Palace
[www.arsenal.com]
2024/2025 Nketiah to Palace
[www.arsenal.com]
2025/2026 Nelson to Palace
[Palace are in talks to beat Premier League rivals to sign homegrown Arsenal talent]
2025/2026 Eze to Arsenal
[www.arsenal.com]
[www.independent.co.uk]
Credit for where we are as a football club in our current relationship with Palace must go to Our Vice Chairman, Previous Sporting Director Edu and Assistant + Interim Sporting Director Ayto before we get to mention anyone else especially wrto the Eze deal.
Quote:karteta16
https://x.com/EGTVEgal/status/1961095184755626308
Some believe Arsenal have won the window. Like Liverpool it may not be fruitful until 26/27 or be like West Ham and flop entirely but the intent is there. Merino, Norgaard are weak links and we have a couple unknown entities but I think we filled the immediate gaps in our first 11 and brought in quality potential.
Quote:Jonny Bravo
"Winning the Window" is such a ridiculous concept, spending hundreds of millions doesnt guarantee they will be a success. How many windows did United win when they were buying over hyped or aging stars paying them 300k pw.
Who "won" last summers window, I am pretty sure it wasnt Liverpool. I am fairly certain they were been derided for not spending and getting in a player like Zubimendi.
Quote:Jonny Bravo
I cant say I give much credance or pay much attention to people who adhere to the concept of "Winning the Transfer Window" being some sort of badge of honour, because Ive no doubt its usually followed up with a statement that X has spent Y so they must achieve Z or they should be sacked.
Its up there with people saying Arteta has been a failure because he hasnt won a "trophy" in 5 years. Such luminaries as EtH and Big Ange have won tin pots, are they deemed to be more "succesful" than Arteta even though they saddled one club with a ton of useless overpaid players and the other nearly got his team relegated.
All relative innit.
Quote:Jonny Bravo
I cant say I give much credance or pay much attention to people who adhere to the concept of "Winning the Transfer Window" being some sort of badge of honour, because Ive no doubt its usually followed up with a statement that X has spent Y so they must achieve Z or they should be sacked.
Its up there with people saying Arteta has been a failure because he hasnt won a "trophy" in 5 years. Such luminaries as EtH and Big Ange have won tin pots, are they deemed to be more "succesful" than Arteta even though they saddled one club with a ton of useless overpaid players and the other nearly got his team relegated.
All relative innit.
Quote:Padre Pio
Is Hincapie in the bag yet?
Quote:Padre Pio
Is Hincapie in the bag yet?
Quote:Merlion96
Put it this way.
The most successful summer transfer window is when Arteta bought Jesus and Zinchenko which made Arsenal title contender.
2025/26 Summer Transfer Window should be successful should Arteta achieve this KPI:
#1 - at least 2nd in the league, never mind winning the title.
#2 - semi-final or final in CL Cup.
#3 - one final either FA or EFL Cup
#4 - must achieve semi-final in all cup competitions.
Quote:BG
Would like to get Zinchenko off the books. His wages are a problem.
Quote:FlavaQuote:BG
Would like to get Zinchenko off the books. His wages are a problem.
I get what you're saying but his wages aren't a problem. They haven't precluded us from doing anything this summer.
Quote:Boston GoonerQuote:FlavaQuote:BG
Would like to get Zinchenko off the books. His wages are a problem.
I get what you're saying but his wages aren't a problem. They haven't precluded us from doing anything this summer.
His wages are a problem for the club signing him.
the Ukraine international's wages could prove a major hurdle to Marseille getting a deal over the line.
Quote:karteta16
I like the fact that people that enjoy their second place trophy hate the concept of winning the window. Again let me say 2 seasons ago Liverpool bought Szoboszlai,Gravenberch and Mac Allister in one window, they all went to liverpool together and all won the league together. While Second place doesn't guarantee you being even in the top 4 in the following season.
The transfer window is created to plug gaps in the side, some teams accomplish it better than others. Winning is getting your target. Its funny Arteta is not seen as an absolute failure for not getting a trophy in 5 years but again, some nuances are accepted.
Quote:Shane
Has there ever been a manager in football history who has spent more than Arteta at the same club and won no major honours? Obviously Chelsea and Manchester United have spent egregious amounts of money in recent time but that was spread over quite a few different managers. I don't think anyone has spent anywhere near what Arteta has without delivering big trophies. And if that's the case, sorry but the club must - and I think will - get someone else if that doesn't change come next May in my opinion.
The expenditure must be near ยฃ1 billion since he became manager. Come on lads.
As David pointed out, this has been a brilliant window. If it doesn't happen this year it's not going to happen.
Quote:Boston GoonerQuote:Padre Pio
Is Hincapie in the bag yet?
Well and truly.
Quote:Padre Pio
I read somewhere that Hincapie would link up well with Eze
Quote:karteta16
Quote:GS1
BTW, a few posters called me crazy when I said we needed 8 new players. Doesn't look crazy now does it.
Quote:Boston Gooner
I was boosted so much by the window for us and had so high hopes.
Yesterday at Liverpool sent those hopes crashing.
I should have had more sense and realised Arsenal/Arteta always keep letting you down. Nothing changes.
Quote:Boston Gooner
So is Lokonga the only player we actually managed to sell outright ๐คท
Quote:djarseQuote:Boston Gooner
So is Lokonga the only player we actually managed to sell outright ๐คท
Lokonga, Tavares, Marquinhos and Kiwior ( obligation to buy after the one year loan).
Quote:Zinny gone to Forest on loan.Boston GoonerQuote:djarseQuote:Boston Gooner
So is Lokonga the only player we actually managed to sell outright ๐คท
Lokonga, Tavares, Marquinhos and Kiwior ( obligation to buy after the one year loan).
Fabio, Zinchenko, Nelson.
Nobody wants to buy these players and get them off our books.
Quote:Padre PioQuote:Zinny gone to Forest on loan.Boston GoonerQuote:djarseQuote:Boston Gooner
So is Lokonga the only player we actually managed to sell outright ๐คท
Lokonga, Tavares, Marquinhos and Kiwior ( obligation to buy after the one year loan).
Fabio, Zinchenko, Nelson.
Nobody wants to buy these players and get them off our books.
This thread is unmanageable I suggest we have a summary of actual transfers and loans now the window is closed
Quote:Jonny Bravo
As Merl said his contract is up on 2026 so we won't be stuck with him when his open ends. Edu did us a solid three.
Quote:Merlion96
It is actually a good transfer window which enable Arteta to cull his squad, getting rid of high salary to make financial room for those incoming 8 new players.
#1 - Zinchenko on loan and will leave on a Bosman in June 2026.
#2 - Lokonga sold.
#3 - Kiwior sold.
#4 - Vieira on loan and hope he will fulfil his potential at Hamburg.
#5 - Nelson on loan and hope he will have an injury free season.
Interesting come January 2026, do we have sufficient PPR leeway and UEFA 70% Salary Limit to buy new player(s) or sell Trossard once Havertz and Jesus are match fit by Dec/Jan?
Quote:emrysQuote:Merlion96
It is actually a good transfer window which enable Arteta to cull his squad, getting rid of high salary to make financial room for those incoming 8 new players.
#1 - Zinchenko on loan and will leave on a Bosman in June 2026.
#2 - Lokonga sold.
#3 - Kiwior sold.
#4 - Vieira on loan and hope he will fulfil his potential at Hamburg.
#5 - Nelson on loan and hope he will have an injury free season.
Interesting come January 2026, do we have sufficient PPR leeway and UEFA 70% Salary Limit to buy new player(s) or sell Trossard once Havertz and Jesus are match fit by Dec/Jan?
It says here that Kiwior is sold but as I understand it he is on loan with an option to buy.
[www.football.london]
