Mikel Arteta has had to endure a major attacking injury crisis this season after failing to sign a striker, a predicament the Arsenal boss was given fair warning about by a club icon

While Arteta’s transfer strategy may seem like a gamble, it is one rooted in a clear vision for Arsenal’s future. By prioritising quality over quantity, tactical fit over marquee names, and long-term success over short-term gains, Arteta is laying the foundations for a sustainable return to the top of English and European football.