Managing Arsenal: Mikel Arteta signs £80m solution as Bukayo Saka decision made on future
The job is far from done for Mikel Arteta (Image: PA)

Arsenal appear to be on the brink of something special this season. The Gunners have been waiting more than two decades to lift the Premier League trophy again and are yet to win the Champions League, but they are now among the favourites to secure both major honours.
A key factor has been their extraordinary summer transfer window, which saw Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta welcome eight new signings : Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie.
That has equipped the north London side with arguably the deepest squad in their history and their strongest team since the Invincibles of 2003/04, with Arsenal now well-prepared to handle injuries to key players.
Taking them to the next level now only requires minor adjustments rather than wholesale changes ahead of the January transfer window. We now look at one key addition who can achieve this, as well as internal factors that need addressing to ensure silverware this season.
Bukayo Saka’s new contract
Arsenal want to extend Bukayo Saka's contract (Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

For the past five years, Bukayo Saka has been the poster boy for Arsenal's success, having carried the previously struggling team as a mere teenager. Now regularly wearing the captain's armband and recently claiming his 100th goal involvement in his 200th Premier League match, the 24-year-old academy product is eager to win a trophy with his childhood club.
Given his pivotal role in the squad, persuading the winger to pen a new contract is an essential next move, with his current agreement due to run out in summer 2027. Saka's love for the Gunners suggests he won't let his contract wind down, and securing a new deal should be straightforward given Arsenal's impressive form this season.
A long-term contract akin to the five-year agreement signed by fellow star player William Saliba in September could be on the cards. Saka is already among Arsenal's top earners, and it's understood that the club are already working on an upgraded deal, which they hope he'll sign in the forthcoming months.
£80million transfer target
The left wing position, along with a centre forward, were two areas fans were eager to bolster in the summer. Despite bringing in the dynamic Madueke and the talented Eze for a combined fee of over £100m, neither player's preferred position is on the left wing.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who were dismissed by many just a few months ago, have experienced something of a revival with seven goal contributions between them so far this campaign. However, the Emirates outfit still need to bring in a world-class, game-changing left-winger to take them to the next level.
Antoine Semenyo would add quality to Arsenal's left side (Image: Getty Images)

Despite previous links to Real Madrid's Rodrygo, the player Arsenal need is in fact Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth. Many expected the dynamic 25-year-old to leave the Cherries in the summer, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United all interested, only for him to sign a five-year contract in July.
To secure the Ghana international, the Gunners will likely have to shell out around £80m, but given his exceptional talent, they should not hesitate to do so. With six goals and three assists in just seven Premier League matches this season, Semenyo's performances should encourage Arsenal to move in early for the player and get him on side in the next few months ahead of a transfer next summer, just as they did with Zubimendi last season to beat Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s big issue
Myles Lewis-Skelly has fallen victim to his own success this season following an extraordinary breakout campaign last term, which saw him secure his spot as Arsenal's starting left-back at just 18 years old.
His rapid ascent saw him play a crucial role against the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and even score on his England debut. However, this season he has struggled for game time, largely due to the return of Riccardo Calafiori from injury and the Italian's superb performances as a roaming full-back.
Myles Lewis-Skelly's mentality and quality on the ball stood out last season (Image: Getty Images)

The promising teenager will undoubtedly be frustrated by his time spent on the bench, which seems like a step backwards. Despite this, England manager Thomas Tuchel continues to call him up for international duty. But Lewis-Skelly needs to be playing regular football sooner rather than later if he hopes to keep his position as England's first-choice left back for the 2026 World Cup.
Unfortunately for the youngster, the signing of Hincapie makes this even less likely, with Arteta seemingly seeking a different profile for the left-back role as part of his tactical evolution. Lewis-Skelly was primarily a central midfielder in Arsenal's youth ranks and that may be where the manager sees his future.
But with so many games still to come this season and both Calafiori and Hincapie prone to injuries, it would be beneficial for Arsenal to persist with Lewis-Skelly at left-back, giving him valuable game time as they may need to rely on him again later down the line.