Arsenal are making progress in the summer transfer window as World Cup 2026 unfolds. Fifteen of Mikel Arteta's squad are currently competing in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with several already delivering stellar performances. However, behind the scenes, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are diligently working to strengthen the squad ahead of the next season.
The Spaniard hinted at this in his post-match interview following the penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain last month, suggesting the club needed to invest in more game-changers up front. The Gunners are believed to be focusing on a midfielder, a left winger, and potentially a striker this summer, before they face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16. Here is all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
Alvarez 'Swap Deal'
Arsenal have reportedly agreed an astonishing swap deal for Julian Alvarez, which would see last summer's marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres moving in the opposite direction. Alvarez has been heavily linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid in recent months, following his exceptional two seasons in Spain, where he has netted 49 goals in 108 matches, reports the Mirror.
European champions PSG have shown interest in the Argentine, while Barcelona and Real Madrid have joined a high-profile contest to secure his services this summer. However, it has now come to light that the Gunners are at the forefront of this race to sign the 26-year-old and have even made headway by striking an agreement with Atletico.
Journalist Jota Jordi recently asserted on the El Chiringuito programme via Sportbible that Atletico boss Gil Marin informed Barcelona president Joan Laporta that Alvarez is off the market. Jordi continued to state it is a "done deal" for Alvarez to put pen to paper for Arsenal. However, the supposed arrangement is not a direct transfer, with Jordi claiming the agreement is for €50m (£43m) plus Gunners striker Gyokeres.
Gyokeres joined the north Londoners last summer for a fee of £55m and managed to net 21 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions. This aided Arsenal in ending a 22-year Premier League trophy drought, but the Swedish striker underwhelmed at times and only managed 14 goals in the league.
Odegaard's New Role
Martin Odegaard could be poised for a pivotal role at Arsenal after impressing with corner-taking duties for Norway. The Gunners captain led his country during their 4-1 victory over Iraq on Tuesday as they kicked off their World Cup campaign in style.
In the final quarter of an hour of the match, Odegaard provided the assist for Leo Ostigard from a corner to extend Norway's lead. His expertly-weighted delivery found the Genoa defender after he peeled away from Mustafa Saadoon at the near post, requiring only the gentlest of touches to guide it into the far corner.
Odegaard posed a continual danger with his set-piece deliveries - a big part of Arteta's strategy at Arsenal with dead ball situations integral to their tactics. While the Norwegian does not typically handle corners for Arsenal, he may have given Arteta food for thought after repeatedly whipping superb crosses into the penalty area. At present, the duty lies with corner kick taker supreme Declan Rice on the left flank and talisman Bukayo Saka on the right, where Odegaard would represent a viable option, considering he is also left-footed.
