Arteta apologises to Arsenal fans after defeat at Brentford
Promises were made and so it seems, promises have been kept. Mikel Arteta has been well backed by Arsenal's hierarchy this summer - as they said he would be. Despite making just one sale - that being Joe Willock's move to Newcastle for £25million - Arsenal are set to spend another £64m, which includes add-ons, to recruit Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard.
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That follows on from the £76m already spent on Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares in this window.
After their latest additions, Arsenal will have signed new players in five different positions of the pitch; in goal, at left-back, in central defence, in central midfield and in attacking midfield.
And so club director Josh Kroenke, the son of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, was not lying earlier this year when he promised Arsenal would invest into their first-team squad.
He said at a fans' forum in April: "We have big plans to invest. We have plans, we want to be great again, but a long-term model does not support long-term high investment."
Kroenke added: "For us, I think we're not afraid to be aggressive at different points in time. Hopefully, you've noticed over the last few transfer windows we have been more aggressive.
"That was part of the discussion we had internally amongst the six clubs in the UK and in Europe."
And with the window not closing until 11pm a week on Tuesday, Arsenal's business is far from done, even though they have already spent more than any other club in the Premier League this summer.
It appears a right-back - with still no clarity over Hector Bellerin's future - and a forward are wanted, particularly given the potential for departures in both areas.
As well as Bellerin, Willian and Alexandre Lacazette could depart before the month ends, as could Lucas Torreira, Sead Kolasinac, Alex Runarsson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
Multiple exits between Willian, Lacazette, Nketiah and Nelson would heighten the need for a new attacker, though at present Arteta has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun in addition to those four.
Arsenal have kept Josh Kroenke transfer promise but Gunners still need two more signings (Image: GETTY)
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At right-back, Arsenal have Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers if Bellerin leaves but they would surely prefer to have another full-back at the level of Kieran Tierney on the other side of the back-line.
At present, it is unclear who that player will be. Brighton's Tariq Lamptey has previously been linked though the defender has been restricted to a mere 19 appearances for the Seagulls since 2019 due to injuries.
Football.london say Kieran Trippier is a more likely option although any deal would not be cheap given Manchester United appear to have already been put off the England international due to how highly Atletico Madrid value him.
Through the middle appears to be where Arsenal are targeting an extra attacker with Tammy Abraham having been a target before he swapped Chelsea for Roma.
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic have been linked but Arsenal must surely make more sales before either become feasible, and Martinez looks primed to sign a new contract at the San Siro regardless following Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea.
A player capable of blending Lacazette's link-up play and Aubameyang's ability to get in the box and score freely is Arteta's dream, football.london add. That profile of striker at the level Arsenal need are not readily available, mind, and certainly aren't cheap.
Arsenal have kept Josh Kroenke transfer promise but Gunners still need two more signings (Image: EXPRESS SPORT)
Much could still happen with the perennially-linked Philippe Coutinho and Houssem Aouar's names likely to come back into circulation too, with the last week of the window fast approaching and transfer silly season returning with it.
The Spanish coach knows it could get busy at the Emirates, saying recently: "Probably a lot of things will happen in the last week or so.
"When on this first period of the transfer window I think we’ve done a few things that we wanted to do. There is still window to go so I'm sure things will happen either way."
Arsenal have strengthened their squad but not yet to the point that they are considered a Champions League challenger. Especially after the defeat at Brentford, the common consensus is that they will be in and around the Europa League spots again.
A better-quality first-choice right-back such as Trippier and a striker at the level of a Martinez would seriously strengthen Arsenal's chances of a much stronger push for a top-four finish.
The Kroenkes have kept their word but though they've put plenty of cash in already, it looks like they'll need to cough up even more just yet. Otherwise it could be another long and frustrating season for the Gunners.