Arsenal: Running out of steam due to transfers?

Arsenal's risk of faltering in the Premier League title race does not solely stem from performance issues or the familiar psychological pressure typical of the season's final stages.

More fundamentally, the personnel choices made during the summer transfer window, which were initially expected to lay the foundation for their championship ambitions, are now revealing clear limitations.

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal pursued a strategy of budget allocation to reinforce multiple positions simultaneously. Signings such as Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze cost a total of approximately £170 million, aiming to increase squad depth and maintain competitiveness across multiple fronts. However, as they enter the decisive phase, this approach raises questions about its actual effectiveness.

Arsenal currently does not lack attacking options, but they lack an individual with the decisive ability to settle matches. Meanwhile, their direct rival Manchester City possesses Erling Haaland, a striker capable of making a difference from just one opportunity. This contrast was evident in the defeat at Etihad, where Arsenal played well but still came away empty-handed due to lacking sharpness at crucial moments.

Gyokeres' case reflects part of the problem. Despite scoring 11 goals in 2026 and contributing to some of the team's recent few goals, Gyokeres has not yet become a reliable pillar in major matches. The difference in impact between him and Haaland is noticeable.

The issue is not only at the striker position. The supporting players around him have also failed to maintain the necessary performance. Gabriel Martinelli endured a long stretch without scoring, Leandro Trossard clearly declined, and Madueke has not made a significant impact recently. Bukayo Saka, before his injury, also did not reach the expected high level. This has left Arsenal's attack lacking breakthrough capability, despite having sufficient personnel in terms of numbers.

In the defensive line, the solidity that was the foundation for their early-season success has also not been maintained. The number of clean sheets has significantly decreased, while pressure on the goal has increased. Individual moments of lapse, such as Gabriel Magalhaes' uncontrolled handling against Haaland, directly affected match outcomes.

In theory, Arsenal still have a chance to compete. However, reality shows they are paying for accumulated shortcomings in the squad-building process.

The spread-out transfer policy gave Arsenal depth, but has not yet delivered superior quality in key positions. In a long-distance race like the Premier League, the difference is often made by individuals capable of deciding matches. Arsenal currently do not possess such a player. If they finish the season in 2nd place, it will be an outcome inevitably filled with regret, especially since they held a significant advantage for most of the time. And when looking back at the entire journey, the summer transfer window is likely to be viewed as one of the key reasons why Arsenal ran out of steam in the final stretch.