Arsenal's Transfer Window: Álvarez Pursuit and Martinelli's Future

The scoreline against Coventry was emphatic. Arsenal’s transfer window is anything but.

Even after a 3-0 opening‑day cruise and a summer of heavy lifting, the mood around the Emirates is of a club still straining for that last, decisive upgrade in attack – with Julián Álvarez and Kenan Yildiz at the heart of it, and Gabriel Martinelli caught in the crossfire.

Ornstein: Arsenal still hunting a forward

David Ornstein has made it clear: Arsenal are not done up front.

“Arsenal would like to improve their frontline further,” he said on TNT Sports, explaining the club’s aggressive push for Álvarez. A return to England, he suggested, is where Arsenal see their opening – and where the complications begin.

“I think if push came to shove, Atletico Madrid would do a deal with Arsenal – as opposed to Barcelona, the doors are closed there.”

Barcelona is Álvarez’s dream. Arsenal, at this stage, are the persistent suitor.

Kenan Yildiz: doors slammed shut… for now

One name keeps circling back into Arsenal’s orbit: Kenan Yildiz.

Arsenal have sounded out the Juventus forward as they search for new attacking options, but Ornstein’s latest update was blunt.

“They [Arsenal] like Kenan Yildiz, but the doors are closed from Juventus.”

For now, at least, Turin isn’t picking up the phone. Yet Arsenal’s interest is real enough that multiple outlets report the 21‑year‑old has climbed back to the top of their shortlist after Vinícius Júnior committed his future to Real Madrid.

Yildiz hit 11 goals across all competitions last season and can operate across the front line. Juventus are thought to want around €70m. Arsenal are weighing whether that’s a price worth paying for their next attacking star.

One route being floated: a swap involving Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli: on the market, out of the squad, under scrutiny

Martinelli’s situation has turned from curiosity to concern.

The Brazilian has already rejected Galatasaray this summer, but Arsenal are still open to his departure. Inter Milan, Roma, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are all interested, with Arsenal valuing him at around €60m.

He wasn’t even in the squad for the 3-0 win over Coventry. That absence has not gone unnoticed.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright told Sky Sports he is “uncomfortable” with how the winger is being handled.

“In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright said. “The way he’s been treated at the end here… Not being involved in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on. I know this, I know this.”

If Yildiz arrives and Martinelli heads to Turin as part of the deal, it would solve two problems on Arsenal’s boardroom whiteboard. It would not necessarily soothe the feeling that a player who has done plenty for this squad is being eased out the side door.

Simeone stands firm as Álvarez saga drags on

On the other front, Arsenal’s “dream target” remains Álvarez. Atletico Madrid’s stance is hard, but not immovable.

Diego Simeone, speaking before Atleti’s next match, underlined just how important the Argentine is to his plans.

“Julián Alvarez will be in the squad tomorrow,” he said. “For me, Julián is an extremely important player for us to achieve our objectives. As long as he’s with the team, I’m going to look after him.”

Atleti would prefer to sell abroad rather than strengthen a direct La Liga rival, so a move to the Premier League is structurally more attractive than Barcelona. The problem is Álvarez himself.

Reports in Spain suggest Mikel Arteta has been in contact with the striker for some time, but the message from the player has not shifted: he wants Barcelona.

Atletico have met with Arsenal representatives and are prepared to discuss conditions for a sale. The price, for now, is deemed too high. The preference, from Madrid, is clear: if he leaves, let it be to England, not Catalonia.

Arsenal are still pushing, still hopeful the landscape might change – especially if Barcelona’s finances force them to look elsewhere.

Jackson chase could reshape the Álvarez picture

There’s another twist.

Atletico are locked in talks with Chelsea over a loan move for Nicolas Jackson, with director of football Mateu Alemany travelling to London to negotiate. If they land Jackson, Atleti’s need to keep Álvarez at all costs might soften.

At the same time, if Barcelona divert their attention to alternative forwards, Arsenal’s route to the Argentine sharpens. Right now, it’s a waiting game – with Arsenal hovering, ready if the dominoes fall their way.

Havertz makes his case up front

While the club chases a marquee No 9, Kai Havertz is quietly – and now loudly – stating his own claim.

The German has emerged from an injury-riddled season looking sharp and decisive. He scored in the Champions League final against PSG, then again in the Community Shield win over Manchester City, and backed it up with another goal against Coventry.

This is the same player who won Chelsea the Champions League in 2021 with a winner against City. The big stages do not faze him.

Having shared striking duties with Viktor Gyokeres last season, Havertz now looks ready to lead the line again and force a rethink on whether a huge outlay for Álvarez is essential rather than aspirational.

Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, framed the debate in terms of what Arsenal already have and what they could become.

“We think that Alvarez wants to go to Barcelona, but if Arsenal get Alvarez it would light this place up,” he said. With a “world-class striker” added to what he already sees as world-class defenders and midfielders, Neville believes Arsenal could not only retain the Premier League but “go that extra step and win the Champions League as well.”

Tzolis hits the ground running

On the left, the new face has wasted no time.

Christos Tzolis, signed from Club Brugge for £34m, delivered two assists in the Community Shield against City and impressed again against Coventry. Sky’s co-commentator admitted the Player of the Match call was a “toss up” between Tzolis and captain Martin Odegaard, eventually siding with the Norwegian.

Tzolis arrives as Leandro Trossard departs for Besiktas. Trossard was decisive last season, not least with the winner at West Ham that pushed Arsenal to the brink of the title race. Yet Arsenal have effectively swapped a 31‑year‑old for a 24‑year‑old who already looks like a direct, dangerous outlet on the left.

Jamie Carragher went further, calling Tzolis “an upgrade on Trossard and Martinelli.” Neville pushed back slightly – “I actually really like Martinelli” – while Wright circled back to his discomfort over the Brazilian’s treatment.

“If you bring Tzolis in and he’s looking at Tzolis, you’re thinking to yourself ‘I still have something to offer,’” Wright said. “I feel a bit sad for him. He’s done a lot in this squad to be treated more. I hope it all works out right for Martinelli.”

Odegaard shines, and the Alvarez question returns

On the pitch, Martin Odegaard offered another reminder of why Arsenal are building around him.

He scored in the 3-0 win over Coventry, matching his entire league goal tally from last season on opening night and taking Player of the Match. Neville argued that adding Álvarez would take the Norwegian’s game even higher.

“If Arsenal had an Ian Wright up front, Odegaard would be even better because (Kai) Havertz and (Viktor) Gyokeres want to come to the play rather than run in behind,” Neville said. “If Arsenal were to get an Alvarez, I think he (Odegaard) would go up a level.”

Odegaard himself praised the depth and internal competition.

“I think the quality in the squad and team is unbelievable, you can put so many players in the squad and we would be at an unbelievably high level,” he told Sky Sports. “We push each other to be better in training to be better.”

The question is whether that “next level” requires Álvarez – or whether Havertz, Gyokeres and the evolving cast around Odegaard can supply it.

Betra and Arteta land Konsa – and eye exits

At the back, the work is more straightforward and more complete.

Arsenal have sealed a £51m deal for Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, with a further £4m in potential add‑ons. The England international arrives at a time when William Saliba is sidelined, providing proven Premier League quality and crucial depth alongside Gabriel.

Sporting director Andrea Betra could not hide his delight.

“We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa,” he said. “Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.

“Being comfortable in both central defence and at right-back, Ezri will bring valuable versatility to our squad while maintaining the high defensive standards which are fundamental to our challenge of winning major trophies.

“We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities, who will adapt seamlessly to our style of play. Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club. We welcome Ezri and his family to Arsenal.”

Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, placed Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes – another 28‑year‑old arrival – at the heart of a deliberate shift.

“Because we look at the squad as a whole, we have a young defensive line. In midfield, we already have the next generation with Ethan and Max,” he said. “At 28 they are in their prime and I think they are going to give amazing things to our squad.”

Konsa’s arrival has a knock-on effect. Everton admire Ben White, who could be tempted by more guaranteed minutes. White registered his first assist of the season against Coventry, but Arteta has struggled to lean on him as a nailed‑on starter, and a sale could free funds for late‑window reinforcements.

“We are trying to improve the team, but it depends on some players leaving and the amount of money available to us after that,” Arteta admitted before the Premier League opener. “So far, I am very happy.”

Zubimendi interest rebuffed

In midfield, one potential exit has been firmly shut down.

Martin Zubimendi, after a promising first season, has seen his opportunities squeezed by the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, the resurgence of Ethan Nwaneri and the return of Declan Rice. Chelsea are monitoring him, with Real Madrid also linked after missing out on Rodri.

Arteta is having none of it.

Asked if Zubimendi could leave, he replied: “No, he’s a really important player. Without a doubt, he was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him, we would never have got into the position that we got into in the last few weeks.”

For now, at least, the Spaniard remains central to the plan, not a casualty of it.

Youth and exits: Tyjon, Trossard, Partey

Arsenal’s churn isn’t limited to headline names.

Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon, 18, is finally set to join after several windows of pursuit, with The Athletic reporting that a medical has been completed following an agreement between the clubs. Blackburn will receive £1.2m up front, £2m in add‑ons and retain a 20% sell‑on clause. The teenager has featured for Blackburn’s U21s, England’s U17s and made his senior debut in the EFL Cup last season.

Leandro Trossard has already gone, joining Besiktas after playing a key role last year. Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who left for Villarreal when his contract expired, has now moved again – this time to Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, taking his Premier League and European experience to the Saudi Pro League.

As for that CBS Sports report from May, which suggested up to eight Arsenal players could depart – including Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz, Odegaard and Cristhian Mosquera – reality has bitten. Havertz and Odegaard both scored against Coventry. Mosquera impressed alongside Gabriel in Saliba’s absence. Trossard has gone, but the rest remain in flux rather than on a conveyor belt out of the club.

Nwaneri, after a loan at Marseille, may yet seek more minutes elsewhere, possibly via another loan. Martinelli and Jesus continue to attract Serie A interest. White’s future hinges on how central Arteta sees him in a defence now reinforced by Konsa.

Arsenal have added experience, injected youth, and sharpened their squad. They have unsettled a fan favourite, revived an old target, and pursued a striker who dreams of another club.

The team on the pitch looks ready. The squad on paper looks stronger. The window, though, still feels one big decision short.

Is that decision Julián Álvarez, Kenan Yildiz, or the courage to say Havertz is enough and Martinelli still matters?