Top News

Arsenal’s attempt to bring in a world-class attacker during the summer transfer window did not meet expectations, according to Jamie Carragher, with the Gunners missing out on a marquee addition. Even though they are the reigning Premier League champions, Mikel Arteta’s team could not land the 'gamechanger' they were eager to add in order to take the squad to another level.

Arsenal ended the summer window without the '10 out of 10' attacking signing they were targeting, Carragher said. The former Liverpool defender stated that the Gunners made bold attempts to sign Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, but neither of those major pursuits was completed for the current Premier League champions.

The only attacking player Arsenal brought in was Christos Tzolis, who arrived from Club Brugge in a £34 million deal. At the same time, there were notable departures from the squad, with Leandro Trossard joining Besiktas, Gabriel Jesus moving to Barcelona, and teenage talent Ethan Nwaneri signing for Borussia Dortmund. In addition, Gabriel Martinelli is still in talks with Al Hilal, whose domestic transfer window is still open.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher outlined how difficult it is for Arteta to improve a starting XI that is already so polished. 'They have got really good strikers. I like Kai Havertz and I think Mikel Arteta likes him, as well,' Carragher said. Havertz has already justified that backing with two goals in three appearances in all competitions this season. On Arsenal’s other attacking option, Carragher added: '[Viktor Gyokeres] has been what most people felt he would be when he came -- not quite elite but he can still score goals in certain games.' Gyokeres has made only one appearance so far this season and is still waiting for his first goal.

The pundit stressed that Arsenal were specifically searching for a player who could offer something different in the final third. Carragher said: 'They needed someone to be a gamechanger. They tried to get Vinicius Junior, they tried to get Alvarez - that's the calibre of players. It's very hard to improve Arsenal now because they are such a good team, such a strong squad. So you're talking about a world class player as the only one that can improve them.'

Despite a squad packed with international quality, Carragher feels there is still a noticeable gap between Arsenal’s current attackers and the elite names they tried to sign. 'They've tried to get them and haven't been able to get these deals over the line,' he continued. 'There's no point bringing somebody of the level that they've already got. They've got five or six players in attack which I would call 'seven or eight out of 10 players.''

The absence of a ruthless top-level finisher or a world-class winger remained the major gap in Arsenal’s squad during the transfer window. Their ambitious efforts were blocked by the choices made by the players themselves, with Vinicius deciding to sign a new contract at Real Madrid, while Alvarez rejected a return to the Premier League because he wanted to join Barcelona, and for now remains at Atletico Madrid. Carragher ended his assessment by saying: 'They wanted a 'nine or 10 out of 10 player' but couldn't get it across the line.'

Whatever the concerns over not signing a new superstar, Arsenal have made an impressive start to the 2026-27 season. They won the Community Shield in commanding fashion with a 3-0 victory over Manchester City and have taken that form into the defence of their Premier League title. Their early league results include a convincing 3-0 win over Coventry City, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

Arteta will now shift his focus to a major London derby, with Arsenal set to host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium this Sunday.