Arsenal face a pivotal summer transfer window that could define the Mikel Arteta era at the club.
After three years of near misses, there is a feeling that this is the last chance for the Spanish tactician to win the Premier League.
New sporting director Andrea Berta needs to give Arteta the right tools to end this 21-year barren run. However, they are about to navigate a distorted summer transfer window.
The summer 2025 transfer window is, unusually, split into two parts. It opens on June 1 and closes nine days later for teams participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to reinforce their ranks.
The window reopens on Monday, June 16, and closes on Monday, September 1, at 19:00 BST for Premier League, EFL Championship and Scottish Premiership clubs.
The FIFA showpiece, which starts June 16, is inching closer, and you can grab Club World Cup tickets at Seatsnet.com to witness all the riveting action live in the United States.
How the Club World Cup Could affect Arsenal’s transfer plans
Arsenal may not be competing at the 2025 Club World Cup, but several European giants will be there, including potential transfer rivals and sellers.
Chelsea and Manchester City will represent the Premier League. Arteta is no stranger to shopping at his former club, Man City.
The Gunners have signed a player from Chelsea for three successive seasons, and there is every chance of that trend continuing. They are reportedly eyeing Christopher Nkunku.
Chelsea, Man City, and all the top European outfits will not be eager to sell early.
They need all hands on deck for the Club World Cup, potentially complicating matters for Arsenal if they want to clear their business quickly.
Besides, Chelsea, City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Borussia Dortmund want players in early before entering the Club World Cup.
This creates a situation where Arsenal must act fast or risk missing out on targets. They may not be able to wear out sellers by playing the long game, as multiple suitors will be queuing.
Arsenal are interested in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and are moving quickly to sign him before other giants, especially those eager to refresh their forward line for the Club World Cup, enter the race.
Another option for Arsenal would be to ride out the 2025 Club World Cup, allowing the dust to settle before swooping for transfer targets. It may not be the best decision, but it could work.
Once the tournament wraps in mid-July, clubs like City, Madrid, and Bayern will return to Europe with a clearer view of their squads.
In many cases, they will have bloated rosters, exhausted players, and financial pressure to trim the fat. That is when the market could open up.
Chelsea have been stacking players in their ranks, hoping to give them a chance to strut their stuff at the tournament. Arsenal can look for opportunities to snap up bargains among the disgruntled pile.
There will likely be late movement in the market, just as there has been in the early days, and Arsenal might try to seal their transfer dealings then.
European elites face a major transfer decision
This transfer conundrum is not unique to Arsenal, as European giants in the Club World Cup must decide whether to act fast or be patient.
Real Madrid have sped out of the blocks in the transfer window, signing Trent Alexander-Arnold. They are also working on a deal to sign Benfica starlet left-back Alvaro Carreras.
Los Blancos open their tournament against Al Hilal. Real Madrid vs Al Hilal SFC tickets are available at Seatsnet.com or through the official channels.
Madrid are already one of the favourites to win the Club World Cup, but strengthening their squad early on gives them even more edge heading into the showpiece.
Chelsea and Man City have also employed the same tactic. The Blues have practically closed a deal to sign Liam Delap and are in negotiations for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
City are closing in on deals for Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders. They are also linked with full-backs like Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tino Livramento. These teams have chosen to work fast and bolster their rosters.
Conversely, clubs like Bundesliga winners Bayern are ready to wait. They believe they have enough to see them through at the tournament before making moves for their targets.
Juventus are in the same boat and will likely have to wait for the second transfer window to open before making deals.
The Old Lady is still reshuffling the hierarchy, and that will take some time before they can even get to transfer dealings. The downside is missing out on their top targets if the early birds swoop.
Two halves of excitement
Given this backdrop, clubs will inevitably split their business between the two phases of the market.
Those with urgent needs or competing in the Club World Cup will move quickly to secure signings before the first deadline.
Others will bide their time, taking advantage of the reshuffling and potential fire sales after the tournament.
Arsenal are a perfect case in point. They are reportedly close to sealing a move for Real Sociedad holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi early on, showing intent to close business swiftly.
However, other deals, such as moves for a marquee centre-forward or a wide attacker to provide cover for Bukayo Saka, may not come to fruition until deep into August.
That is partly due to market dynamics. It is also because the scenery will shift once the Club World Cup is over and squads return to Europe.
Top clubs will reassess, some will offload, and opportunities will emerge.
So, while the start of the window may be frenetic, the end could be just as busy (albeit for different reasons).
The best operators will keep their powder dry for the right moment, and Arsenal, if strategic, may find value in both phases. Expect a transfer window of two halves and plenty of action throughout.
