The 2026/27 campaign will see Arsenal become something they haven’t been in two decades – the hunted, not the hunters in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta will face the biggest challenge of his managerial career so far as he tries to defend the title and face the pressure from his supporters.
The Gunners faithful will no doubt be looking for more success next term after tasting title glory, which could see the Spanish manager add more money to the market.
Andrea Berta has completed the signing of winger Christos Tzolis from Belgian Club Brugge, and could be joined by another big-money move to the Emirates next season.
How Guimaraes can help Arsenal defend their title next season
Throughout the ongoing summer transfer window, Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães has arguably been the player most linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have already had two separate offers rejected by Eddie Howe’s side in recent weeks, but are now expected to return with a third offer in the region of £70m.
The Brazilian has already stated his desire to complete a move to North London this window, but what can he add to Arteta’s midfield in the battle to retain his Premier League title?
Despite being the Magpies’ deepest option, Guimaraes finished the top-flight campaign with a combined 14 goals and assists – only Viktor Gyökeres bettered such a tally at the Emirates.
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Bruno Guimaraes – PL Stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Mathematics (90 percentile) |
Statistics |
|
Games played |
29 |
|
Terms & Conditions |
14 |
|
Pass accuracy |
86% |
|
The fight is done |
2.2 |
|
The discovery of the ball |
4.9 |
|
Duels won |
6.2 |
|
Victims made |
1.3 |
|
Opportunities are created |
1.7 |
As a result, Arteta’s men will be getting a player who is more than capable of scoring goals at the highest levels – something that is needed if the team is to finish at the top of the tree again next campaign.
However, off the ball, the 28-year-old has also put up impressive stats – including 6.2 ground duels won per 90, which could see the Gunners improve their defensive resilience.
His overall quality, along with his wealth of Premier League experience, would make him a great addition this window – but a move has yet to be agreed with the Magpies in the near future.
How can Arsenal pull off a bigger empire than Guimaraes
Despite Guimaraes appearing to be Arsenal’s front-runner for a transfer this summer, Berta appears to be working on getting more stones in key areas this summer.
Tzolis’ arrival saw a replacement after Leandro Trossard’s move to Besiktas, but alternatives are still being looked at in the final third.
Bradley Barcola has appeared on the club’s sale list, while a move for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande could be on the cards in the coming weeks.
It has been reported by BILD, via Sport Witness, that Arteta’s men have signed an offer of £86m to the Bundesliga club for the 19-year-old.
The report also claims that PSG remain strong favorites to land the Ivorian international this summer, but their lack of urgency in recent weeks could pave the way for a move to the Premier League.
This young player has been one of the hottest players in Europe in the past few months, which has made most of the top teams in this continent want to sign him.
However, Arsenal are the latest to enter the race and try their luck to land the winger, who produced impressive numbers last term – which would make him a bigger club than Guimaraes.
Diomande, called “generational” by commentator Bence Bocsak, completed 4.3 successful 90 dribbles – more than any player on Germany’s top-floor.
Numbers like these highlight his ability to outrun opponents with ease – an asset Arsenal fans have longed for from the new signing in the ongoing window.
Despite his young age, the Ivory Coast international has been able to complete his incredible season – finishing last season with 12 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga.
No player in Arteta’s squad could be that much better, with Diomande set to become the Gunners’ new attacking midfielder when he moves to the Emirates this summer.
Although 2025/26 was his first full season in one of Europe’s top five leagues, Diomande created an impressive 2.1 chances out of 90 – putting him in the top 15% of all attackers in Europe.
The aforementioned stats confirm his ability to cause carnage in the attacking areas of the pitch – which could see Gyokeres be the beneficiary of his endless opportunities next term.
£86m would be one of Arsenal’s most expensive additions, but it would see the management land a player who can play at the Emirates for years to come.
His talent is there for all to see, with the youngster able to make a bigger mark on the club’s fortunes in the Premier League than Guimaraes – not to mention fill Arteta’s problem.
PSG’s renewed interest will fuel concerns that a deal may not be agreed this summer, but it is now up to officials to pull out all the stops and complete a move for the attacking prodigy.
