Mikel Arteta's Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season - the third year in a row in which they have ended as runners-up - and are looking to make the step up
Arsenal are close to announcing their second big contract renewal of the summer after tying Gabriel down to a new deal. Myles Lewis-Skelly is set to become the next player to sign fresh terms, with an announcement about a new deal for the teenager expected imminently.
Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakthrough season last term after making his Premier League debut in September 2024. A midfielder at youth level, he showed his quality at left-back for the senior side and earned his first minutes for the England national team in the position.
Things aren't going to stop there, though. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League again last season, but were further off a title win than in each of the two previous campaigns, and will want to do something about that.
That something is further transfer investment as well as new contracts for key players. Co-chair Josh Kroenke has already indicated there will be money to spend, with new sporting director Andrea Berta at the forefront of the summer business.
We've already got a reasonable idea of what comes next, with some names mentioned throughout the early part of the window. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at some of the next steps.
Which striker arrives next?
One thing which became clear in the second half of last season was Arsenal's need for attacking reinforcements. Kai Havertz's return from injury will make things easier, but a new number nine remains a priority.
A number of names have been mentioned, but unless something changes drastically in the coming weeks then it will be either Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres. Sesko looks the more likely, though his agent Elvis Basanovic indicated he won't be leaning on RB Leipzig to lower their asking price.
"Even if there may be - or will be - a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig," he told Givemesport. "I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club.
Zubimendi announcement
For a while, it looked as though Martin Zubimendi was destined to become Arsenal's first summer signing. The Spain midfielder is still more likely than not to end up in North London, but it won't be the speedy process some anticipated.
"Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it will end," Zubimendi said during the international break. "I don’t think thinking about it right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will."
A move to North London would see the Real Sociedad star reunited with former club team-mates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino. They're unlikely to be joined by ex-colleague Alexander Isak, though, with the Swede set to stay at Newcastle.
More new contracts
Gabriel and Lewis-Skelly's new deals are just the start. There have been tentative talks about a new deal for Leandro Trossard, who is about to enter the final year of his current deal, but there are some other huge priorities beyond that.
One of those extensions looks to be relatively straightforward. Ethan Nwaneri. Formal discussions with the teenager began early in Berta's tenure, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see a new deal announced this summer.
Bukayo Saka is also expected to renew a deal currently running until 2027, while there is optimism William Saliba will do the same. However, Real Madrid remain keen on Saliba and it remains to be seen how easy it is for the Gunners to fend off that interest.
Keeper comes in
Arsenal's loan move for Neto last summer always looked like a bit of a stopgap, and so it proved. The Brazilian is due to return to parent club Bournemouth, having barely featured during his year in London.
The Gunners still need a longer-term backup to David Raya, though. For a while, it looked as though Joan Garcia might be that man, but he has now officially completed a move to Barcelona.
Instead, it's another Spaniard who appears to be on the way. Kepa is available for a knock-down £5million fee, and looks like an absolute no-brainer for Arteta.
What else might happen?
The other area where there are questions is wide left. A new deal for Trossard might solve the problem, but there have also been murmurings of a new face to bolster the front line in addition to a new number nine.
Once again, Barcelona stand in the way when it comes to one of those targets. Nico Williams is understood to favour a move to Catalunya, and appears to be drawing ever closer to choosing Barca over Arsenal.
Another option is Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who found opportunities harder to come by last season. He played and assisted in new manager Xabi Alonso's first match in charge on Wednesday, but is thought to be available for the right price - the question is whether Arsenal will be willing to pay it.