BY the time Arsenal faltered before the finish line in the race to finish in last season’s Premier League top four, it was clear that this summer would be an important one at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners undoubtedly showed signs of progress under Mikel Arteta, but their squad simply didn’t have the quality or depth to deliver Champions League qualification.

The signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City was rumoured early on in the window with the Brazilian finally announced as an Arsenal player this week. Beyond this, though, the Gunners have still to capture the players needed to build on last season’s fifth-place finish. Instead, they are being left behind by Tottenham Hotspur, who have already made four new signings, in the transfer market.

Speculation has been abundant. Raphinha was seemingly on his way to Arsenal before Chelsea entered the pursuit of the Leeds United winger who is now more likely to end up at Stamford Bridge. It was a similar story with Lisandro Martinez whose signing was a priority for the Gunners until Manchester United jumped to the front of the queue for the Ajax centre back. on last season’s fifth-place finish. Instead, they are being left behind by Tottenham Hotspur, who have already made four new signings, in the transfer market.

All the while there is continued speculation about a move for Youri Tielemens, yet Leicester City have still to receive an offer for the Belgian midfielder. With the exception of the signing of Jesus, Arsenal have been all talk, no action in the transfer market this summer. The club is undermining the progress Arteta has made.

Arteta was glowing in the work done by his employers to sign Jesus – “the club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature,” he said – but he is being let down in other areas. If Jesus is the only notable addition made to Arsenal’s squad this summer, they won’t just be left behind by Tottenham Hotspur, but Manchester United too given the improvement that is sure to take place at Old Trafford now that Erik ten Hag is in charge.

It’s not as if the Arsenal board has any reason to doubt Arteta’s ability to get the best out of new signings. Indeed, the Spaniard has made good use of almost every player delivered to his door, as demonstrated by the success enjoyed by Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes and others.

ARSENAL SEASON SPECIALS

Some might question if the return of Hector Bellerin and Ashley Maitland-Niles, both of whom were sent out on loan last season, is being factored in as Arsenal took up for the new season, but one of the key aspects of Arsenal’s growth under Arteta has been the freedom given to the Spaniard to mould the squad. Without that freedom, Arteta might feel restricted in what he can truly achieve.

If Arteta has outlined the sort of players he requires this summer, his employers have a duty to deliver them. It was clear for much of last season what Arsenal would need to take the next step and so Edu and the recruitment staff at the Emirates Stadium have no excuses. They have been too slow this summer. Arteta should have welcomed more than just Jesus by now.

Of course, there is still time for deals to be done. The summer transfer window doesn’t close until September, but Arteta is losing valuable time to instill his methods and ideas in any new players that come in the door before the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season. Any new addition that comes in now with pre-season already under way will be at a disadvantage. The season hasn’t even started and Arsenal are already chasing their tail.