The summer transfer window may be closed, but the work behind the scenes at Arsenal is far from finished.
After a record-breaking few months of spending and squad building, Andrea Berta is now preparing to tackle the next crucial challenge: securing the long-term futures of Arsenal's two biggest stars.
A Summer of Ambition
Berta has already earned praise from Arsenal supporters after overseeing one of the busiest and most ambitious windows in the club’s history. Eight new signings arrived, including the deadline day signing of Piero Hincapie, whose loan deal is expected to become permanent for around £45m next summer.
Four senior players renewed their contracts, while several fringe players were moved on to trim the squad. All told, Arsenal’s investment could top £300m, a clear statement of intent from the board to back Mikel Arteta in the push for major honours.
The Team Behind the Decisions
Berta won’t be acting alone in the next stage of the project. Arsenal’s football structure has evolved in recent years, with a strong team now handling recruitment and retention:
- Tim Lewis continues to oversee operations at the top level.
- James King (director of football operations) was instrumental in Ethan Nwaneri’s recent contract renewal.
- James Ellis has been promoted to technical director, filling Edu’s old role.
For the first time, Arsenal have both a technical director and a sporting director working alongside Mikel Arteta. Together, they will lead the next phase: ensuring key players remain tied down.
Saka and Saliba: The Priorities
After securing the futures of Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Magalhães, the club now turn their attention to two names at the top of the list: Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.
Both players have entered the final two years of their contracts. Sources suggest Arsenal remain calm about the situation, with negotiations expected to accelerate now that the transfer window distractions are out of the way.
The Gunners are confident that this summer’s spending spree has sent a strong message — Arsenal want to compete for the biggest trophies, and they want Saka and Saliba at the heart of it.
Easing the Burden
For much of their young careers, Saka and Saliba have carried huge responsibility for Arsenal. But the club has moved to ease that pressure by strengthening the squad.
The arrivals of Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera provide both cover and competition, ensuring that Arsenal’s stars don’t have to be overplayed while still keeping standards high and competition for places strong.
Both Saka and Saliba are currently sidelined with injuries, but the long-term plan is clear: they will return to a stronger, deeper squad that can help sustain a challenge on all fronts and win some silverware this season.
The Bigger Picture
Arsenal’s next “signings” don't need to come from outside the club, but from within. Securing new contracts for Saka and Saliba will be just as significant as any summer addition — sending a message that the core of this exciting squad remains committed to the project.
For supporters, it’s simple: the transfer window showed ambition, but tying down our biggest talents is what will define the club’s long-term future.
