Despite desperately needing to source a capable left-back, the Gunners have dallied over a deal for Hickey, who is now poised to join Brentford. Meanwhile, Martinez would seemingly prefer to reunite with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, leaving the Gunners empty-handed with the new Premier League campaign looming.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Arsenal’s transfer business over the past 18 months is that there has been some genuinely outstanding work. The club’s extensive £140million overhaul took them to the cusp of a return to the Champions League, while the £45million capture of Gabriel Jesus – which is expected to be confirmed imminently – is a major coup.
But their failure to bolster their squad in other areas swiftly means that Arteta could end up having to sign his third-choice full-back target; something that highlights just how unbalanced Arsenal’s transfer strategy appears to be.