In order to maintain a sustained challenge on all fronts this season, Mikel Arteta was desperate to bring in extra players in the transfer window this summer. Although five new signings were added to the squad there was still a serious effort to make moves deep into the window.
It saw late deadline day bids for Douglas Luiz turned down and exposed a weakness in the squad that could come back to prove costly for Arteta. His side have started the season strongly but fell foul to a ruthless counter-attacking display at Old Trafford, losing their first match of the season 3-1 to Manchester United.
Despite the loss, there remains a positive feeling at the Emirates but that could be strongly tested in the coming weeks as additional competitions start and the extent of the recent injury issues becomes clear. The Gunners have already had to do with Fabio Vieira coming into the squad late due to injury and Kieran Tierney's Arsenal career has been stop-start.
