Sesko and Rodrygo start, two debuts - Arsenal dream XI for opening day after £241m transfers

Mikel Arteta will be hoping to have six new signings in his first matchday squad for the 2025/2026 season when Arsenal face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Gunners are yet to officially announce any incomings, but that does not mean major transfers have not been pursued, or even sealed. Martin Zubimendi has virtually been considered an Arsenal player since February but the final details of his switch have only recently been resolved.

The important bits were seemingly sorted right at the start of June but Sociedad wanting the £55million (€65m) transfer ratified in the new financial year, which starts on Tuesday, July 1, has resulted in an announcement delay.

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In the meantime, Arsenal have sanctioned further deals in two priority positions, with Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga set to come in. The need for a permanent back-up goalkeeper signing has been clear for 12 months but a second central midfield addition has only become necessary over the last week.

That is because contract talks with Thomas Partey are not advancing and therefore he looks set to leave the club as a free agent. With a deal totalling £15million agreed for Norgaard and £5million release clause in Kepa's Chelsea contract activated, those two signings could be confirmed imminently.

Under a different set of circumstances, a deal very early into the summer trading period could have been agreed with Dean Huijsen, who went on to join Real Madrid, receiving a personal terms offer for the Gunners.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has had to focus on other targets, however, with Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera quickly becoming the priority. An offer has already been submitted but was rejected by the Spanish club as they hold out for £21million (€25m).

The 21-year-old will add needed depth in defence for Arteta - as William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori all suffered injuries during the 2024/2026 term. With those four players seemingly set to arrive, the focus can go onto a double attacking move.

Talks for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP have taken place throughout the summer trading period with previous targets such as Ollie Watkins, Dusan Vlahovic and Alexander Isak appearing off the table for several different reasons.

The duo being actively pursued looked to have similar asking prices with £67million (€80m) likely to be enough, though Sesko could actually cost over £7million less than that. Even if that is not the case, Sesko is the striker to pursue and he can be joined in Arsenal's front three by Bukayo Saka and another new signing.

While Gabriel Martinelli has performed well since breaking into the first-team, an upgrade that could take Arsenal to the next level is being sought. Rodrygo, Rafael Leao, Ademola Lookman and Nico Williams have all been linked - although the latter looks set to join Barcelona.

The Real Madrid star is likely to be the most expensive of the remaining three names but there is a reason for that. Having won the Champions League several times, he could be the signing that finally gets Arsenal over the line, but his services will come at a premium with £77million (€90m) as his asking price.

Unsurprisingly, Sesko and Rodrygo would go straight into the starting XI for Arsenal's opening day clash against Man Utd with Zubimendi also at the base of midfield. Norgaard and Mosquera can be introduced from the bench while Kepa is ready to come in for David Raya if needed.

Dream Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester United (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Sesko, Rodrygo