There’s never a dull moment at Arsenal, and this summer has been no exception. With the 2025-26 Premier League season looming large, the Gunners find themselves in the midst of a whirlwind of activity—on and off the pitch. As the club gears up for their opening clash against Leeds United on August 23, all eyes are on new sporting director Andrea Berta and the squad’s latest recruits, hoping to finally break the cycle of near-misses and bring long-awaited silverware back to North London.
Andrea Berta, who arrived from Brescia, Italy, in March 2025 following Edu Gaspar’s abrupt exit, has wasted no time in stamping his mark on Arsenal’s footballing project. The Italian’s approach, likened to the art of baking the traditional Bossolà di Brescia cake, has seen the club undergo a significant transformation in both personnel and philosophy. “It’s hot in the kitchen—and Berta’s perspiration has matted finely milled Italian wheat flour on his brow,” observed The Gooner in a recent feature, capturing both the pressure and expectation swirling around the Emirates.
Arsenal’s summer transfer business has been nothing short of frenetic. Out the door have gone familiar faces: Kieran Tierney (to Celtic), Thomas Partey (released), Nuno Tavares (to Lazio), Marquinhos (to Cruzeiro), Takehiro Tomiyasu (released), and Jorginho (to Flamengo). The departures, while bittersweet for supporters, have paved the way for an influx of fresh talent—each arrival handpicked to fit Berta’s vision of a squad capable of challenging for the very top.
In come Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million, Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad at a hefty £51 million, Christian Nørgaard from Brentford for £15 million, Noni Madueke from Chelsea for £52 million, Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for £13 million, and Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon for a club-record £63.5 million. It’s a list that reads like a who’s who of European football’s rising stars and established talents, each bringing something unique to Mikel Arteta’s evolving side.
Christian Nørgaard, for one, has settled in seamlessly. “So far, so good! It’s been very easy to settle in; the group has welcomed me in such a good way. All the players and the staff have been so good, so I’m really happy. I’ve played against all of the players before so I know them a little bit, and I’ve played a couple of years with David Raya at Brentford, of course. Also, we’re staying in London, so being able to actually stay where we’ve lived now for five years is fantastic. So it doesn’t feel like a big change for the family,” Nørgaard told SunSport. His comfort level is already translating into performances on the pitch, as fans witnessed during the recent pre-season friendlies.
Speaking of which, Arsenal’s pre-season campaign has provided a mixed bag of results and talking points. The Gunners fell 3-2 to Villarreal at the Emirates on August 7, a match that saw both new signings and old faces in action. Christian Nørgaard marked his home debut with a goal, while Viktor Gyökeres, brought in to solve the club’s long-standing striker woes, showed glimpses of the qualities that made him such a coveted target. Yet, the match also highlighted lingering issues.
Manager Mikel Arteta didn’t hold back in his post-match assessment. “We’re disappointed with the result. I think we were a bit naive, especially the way we defended open spaces and the counter-press in a few moments—I think they had three shots, three goals. In that sense, we’re not happy, but in a lot of things that I saw, very, very happy. Our efficiency in the final third has to improve, that’s for sure, but a lot of the things we do in all departments, I think we are in a good place. But again, that pain in the belly about losing a game is necessary, and is something positive we can use for Saturday and the start of the season,” Arteta reflected.
Fans, however, were less forgiving, especially after witnessing former Gunner Nicolas Pepe net the opener for Villarreal and Arnaut Danjuma—once of Spurs—extend the visitors’ lead. Social media was ablaze, with some supporters even calling for Gabriel Martinelli to be sold at halftime after a lackluster showing. The reaction underscores the high expectations and impatience that now define Arsenal’s fanbase after consecutive second-place Premier League finishes.
While the transfer window remains open, rumors continue to swirl. Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Rennes’ young defender Jeremy Jacquet and could make a move for Eberechi Eze, with Fabio Vieira tipped for a switch to Stuttgart. Leandro Trossard, meanwhile, is attracting interest from Brentford and is said to be open to a move away from the Emirates. As for the much-speculated pursuit of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, the Brazilian is now set to stay in Spain for the coming season, putting an end to weeks of speculation.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s next pre-season test comes against Athletic Bilbao on August 9, a final tune-up before the real business begins. Arteta is keen to see his side deliver a better performance, both to boost confidence and to reward the supporters who have stuck by the team. “To get them through the door, their first experience here at Emirates and to get the reception that they all got. So thank you so much to our supporters because they really made us feel great. We’re against a very good opponent again, so another great test. I hope a lot of people come here again and support the team the way that they’ve done today and hopefully we’ll give them a better performance and result. We have another one on Saturday to finish our preparation and focus on the week against Man Utd,” Arteta stated, looking ahead to the season opener against Manchester United.
For Arsenal, the stakes could hardly be higher. The club’s recent history is one of promise tinged with frustration—a team that has twice finished as Premier League runners-up, always seemingly on the cusp but never quite able to take that final, decisive step. The hope is that Berta’s summer “baking” yields a richer, more robust filling this time around, rather than a hollow centre. As The Gooner quipped, “Is Gyökeres the cherry on top of the cake, or is our pasticcere still manically kneading his dough?”
With the transfer window still open and the Premier League’s first whistle just weeks away, Arsenal’s fortunes remain in flux. Will the new signings gel in time? Can Arteta finally deliver the title that has eluded the club for so long? One thing’s for certain: North London is bracing for another rollercoaster campaign—and, as ever, the Gunners faithful will be watching every twist and turn with bated breath.
