Arsenal have confirmed that two first-team players will change shirt numbers for the 2025/26 season and those decisions could have an impact on summer transfers.
The Gunners head into the upcoming trading period with full knowledge that marquee signings will need to be sanctioned if they are to win another trophy under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. For sporting director Andrea Berta, the task appears relatively simple.
A striker joining is the absolute priority but it is unclear which of three main targets top their shortlist. For Berta, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres looks to be the leading candidate with £60 million a more than affordable asking price for a player of his quality.
Last summer, Benjamin Sesko was the main target but he opted to remain in Germany and sign a new contract at RB Leipzig.
Though interest from north London has cooled, admirers of the Slovenia international remain with it claimed he is the back-up option in the eyes of Arsenal boss Arteta.
His dream target remains as Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak and though it is highly unlikely a deal is pulled off, for financial reasons and with the Magpies on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League, Arteta still wants to sign the Swede.
With a return to Europe’s top competition not yet confirmed and Newcastle potentially still wasy of profit and sustainability rules, hope remains. Arsenal can actually deal a direct blow to their top-five hopes this weekend when the two clubs face-off at Emirates Stadium.
Isak has not quite looked himself as of late but having scored two goals against Arsenal already this season, he will be on the hunt for another. Looking at other areas of the pitch Arsenal want to strengthen, it is a similar story when it comes to adding in wide areas.
While it is more feasible for Arsenal sign Bryan Mbeumo, Ademola Lookman or even Rodryo of Real Madrid, Nico Williams is the player Arteta wants.
Again, for financial reasons, it will be a complicated deal to pull off while also taking into account his close personal links to Athletic Club.
However, if Arsenal do sanction both moves, they could well have an extra bargaining chip to convince Isak and Williams to join. On Thursday morning, the club announced that David Raya would be switching to the No.1 shirt and Ethan Nwaneri would be moving to the now vacated 22.
With those two changes the only ones confirmed, no senior player currently wears the number ten, which is what Williams currently dons or 14, which is Isak’s favoured shirt number. If the duo now have a personal attachment to those respective numbers, Arsenal will have the perfect welcome gift.
Incoming summer signing Martin Zubimendi will likely have to select a new number with his preferred choice of No.4 currently worn by Ben White.
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