Arteta happy with options despite losing attackers
Mikel Arteta insists he is content with the attacking options at his disposal, despite Arsenal selling Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli late in the transfer window without signing another forward.
The Premier League transfer window shut in midweek, with Arsenal having added four players to its title-winning squad from 2025-2026.
Only one of those additions, however, was an attacker, with Christos Tzolis joining from Club Brugge. Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Illan Meslier also came in, while Piero Hincapie's loan move from Bayer Leverkusen was made permanent.
Meanwhile, this week's sales of Jesus to Barcelona and Martinelli to Al-Hilal came off the back of Leandro Trossard joining Besiktas earlier in the window.
Arsenal was strongly linked with a move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez throughout the window, but Los Colchoneros ultimately kept hold of the Argentinean, who had been pushing to join Barcelona.
Some supporters have suggested Arsenal is now light in the attacking areas, but when asked about that sentiment ahead of the club's upcoming clash with Chelsea, Arteta said: "I don't know, these are just opinions.
"The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in this squad, not to spend any more time on the things that are not part of us right now. That's it and that's my main responsibility.
"I love my players, that's what I can say. In which bracket you want to put them, I don't know. I think at the end of the season we'll put everybody in their place and let's trust them.
"Let's make sure that we are right behind them and we do everything we can to help the incredible talent that they have."
Asked about Martinelli's legacy at Arsenal, for which he made 278 appearances and scored 62 goals in all competitions, Arteta said: "With Gabi, I have gratitude.
"It's been a pleasure to work with him and be part of his journey. The Gabi I met and the one that just left had a huge transformation, both personally and professionally.
"The impact he had on the club... his ambition, his love for the game and the way he has helped us to grow and achieve our goals, he has been a critical player. The story ends, and we wish him all the best in a different one."
The Chelsea game will be an early test of Arsenal's title credentials as it faces one of the three other teams to open 2026-2027 with back-to-back Premier League wins.
Xabi Alonso has had an immediate impact upon taking charge at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea being one of the most entertaining teams to watch so far.
Arteta admitted Alonso's Bundesliga title success with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-2024 was an inspiration to him.
"Obviously, we've known each other for so long, we have experienced different countries, different moments, and to go abroad and deliver what he has done – the same with Andoni [Iraola] as well – I think it's remarkable," Arteta said.
"It shows you that doing what you feel, and being able to translate that to a club and ultimately achieve the goals that you want is possible, regardless of where you are born and where you're from."
