Arsenal transfer news: Bold 2025 rebuild adds Gyokeres, Eze and Kepa as Hincapie talks advance
Arsenal’s aggressive summer: two signings from Chelsea, one from Sporting, and a late move to hijack Spurs
Arsenal didn’t tiptoe into this window—they stamped on it. With the market open from June 16 to September 1, 2025, the club has already rebuilt the spine and widened its attacking options. The headline is simple: proven starters in, fringe players out, and a late push to beat Tottenham to Piero Hincapié. For supporters glued to Arsenal transfer news, this is the busiest summer in years.
The arrivals stack up fast. Kepa Arrizabalaga has come in from Chelsea to deepen the goalkeeping group. Martin Zubimendi, signed from Real Sociedad, solves the No. 6 issue that nagged across last season’s run-in. Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard adds Premier League steel and pressing brains to the midfield. From Chelsea again, Noni Madueke brings a left-footed threat on the right wing. Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera gives Arteta a high-upside, front-foot defender to develop. Up front, Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres is the new focal point. And Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace supplies dribbling, end product, and a new creative gear from midfield or wide left.
The pattern is clear: Arsenal targeted leaders in key zones, plus two English-trained attackers to balance the homegrown list. Zubimendi is the technician that keeps the ball and breaks lines. Nørgaard crashes tackles and closes space when the game opens up. Eze glides past markers and carries the ball through pressure. Madueke pins fullbacks in one-v-one scenarios. Kepa improves distribution under the press. Mosquera is quick across the ground, suited to high defensive risk. And Gyökeres? He runs channels, holds up play, and finishes in traffic—traits Arsenal have chased for years.
There’s also the twist of the window: Piero Hincapié. Multiple reports in England say Arsenal are pushing to close the deal, with confidence growing that they can beat Tottenham to the Ecuadorian international. He’s left-sided, comfortable stepping into midfield, and aggressive in duels—exactly the profile Arteta likes for a high line. If that move lands, Arsenal’s center-back rotation becomes deep and flexible, allowing tactical shifts without a performance drop.
This isn’t just about names. It’s about squad balance. The Premier League cap on non-homegrown players sits at 17, and Arsenal have been careful. Departures have freed up space, while the arrivals of Eze and Madueke help with homegrown numbers. The mix of ages—from Mosquera’s rookie upside to Nørgaard’s experience—means the squad has immediate output without losing the long-term plan.
Who left, who’s on loan, and what it means for Arteta’s XI
It’s easy to focus on arrivals, but the exits tell the other half of the story. Jorginho has been released and headed to Flamengo, clearing midfield minutes and wages. Kieran Tierney has been released to Celtic—sad for those who loved his no-frills defending, but the system has changed since his early peak. Nuno Tavares has moved to Lazio, and Marquinhos to Cruzeiro, trimming the list of players out on the edges of the squad.
Loan business matters too. Karl Hein has gone to Werder Bremen for regular starts—vital for a young goalkeeper at a key stage of his development. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling and Neto have returned to Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively after their loan spells ended. That creates room and urgency in wide areas, which helps explain the push for Eze and Madueke.
So how does this translate on the pitch? Expect a version of Arteta’s 4-3-3 that turns into a box in possession. Zubimendi can anchor alone as the single pivot, letting the two advanced midfielders roam. Eze can operate as a free eight, breaking lines with carries and linking with the striker. Nørgaard offers a different tool set—press-first games, late-game control, or a double-pivot when Arsenal want more stability. Madueke gives a pure right-wing option who can hold width or attack inside onto his left foot.
With Gyökeres up top, the team gains a direct outlet. He enjoys running in behind and taking early finishes, but he also keeps attacks alive with back-to-goal play. That should spread the burden across the front line rather than funneling everything into one channel. If Hincapié arrives, he would slot as the left-sided center-back who can pass through pressure and defend space behind an advanced fullback. Mosquera, meanwhile, adds depth for cup rotations and protects against injuries in a high-intensity schedule.
And Kepa? He brings experience at the top level and comfort in possession, which raises the floor on high-press situations and gives Arteta a different profile to rotate across competitions. His presence also boosts competition for starts—something the manager has leaned on to keep standards high.
There’s a financial angle, even with undisclosed fees. Arsenal have targeted players with clear resale value or prime-age output. The club avoided piling multiple long contracts on the wrong side of 30, and they’ve spread risk across positions. Releasing veterans like Jorginho and Tierney helps keep the wage bill in check while the new arrivals hit their peak years.
For context, this is the second straight summer of big squad surgery under Arteta and the recruitment team. The push is to convert fine margins into silverware over a 55-to-60 game season. Depth isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between fading in February and finishing the job in May.
Here’s the window in a snapshot so far:
- Arrivals: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Christian Nørgaard (Brentford), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
- Close to completion: Piero Hincapié (deal advancing, move being pushed before deadline)
- Departures: Jorginho (released; Flamengo), Kieran Tierney (released; Celtic), Nuno Tavares (Lazio), Marquinhos (Cruzeiro)
- Loans: Karl Hein to Werder Bremen; Raheem Sterling and Neto returned to their parent clubs
The remaining weeks are about exits that tidy up the back end of the squad and any last-minute chances in the market. If Hincapié signs, the window looks close to complete: a new starting striker, a creative runner from midfield, a fix at No. 6, added bite and rotation in midfield, a winger who stretches the pitch, depth at center-back, and a keeper comfortable under the press. That’s not a facelift. That’s a full rebuild with a clear idea behind it.