Community Shield: Arsenal vs. Man City: 9 PM today, 16/8, on VnExpress.

Chelsea is making waves in the transfer market, spending 447 million USD to acquire eleven players. One of them is Morgan Rogers, an English attacking midfielder valued at 158 million USD. The former Aston Villa player ranks fourth on the list of all-time most expensive players.

Man City, who finished second in the Premier League behind Arsenal last season, also made a splash with a 209 million USD investment for five new signings. The most expensive player among them, Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, cost 157 million USD.

Tottenham, who finished 17th in the Premier League last season and are Arsenal's bitter rivals in London, also showed significant spending, shelling out 320 million USD for three players. This includes two deals worth over 100 million USD: midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle (135 million USD) and midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham (115 million USD).

Manager Mikel Arteta celebrates winning the Premier League title in the 2025-2026 season, in London, England on 24/5. Photo: AP.

Asked about the current transfer market developments, manager Arteta admitted he would not dare to spend as lavishly as his rivals. However, he also respects the transfers and player valuations. "Yes, I am very surprised", the Daily Mail quoted Arteta as saying. "But that is the market. Clubs are willing to invest, or believe the valuation is fair. Ultimately, a player's value is the amount people are willing to pay for them."

While rivals are spending heavily, Arsenal has chosen a less conspicuous path. Instead of numerous acquisitions, they focus on genuinely promising players such as Bruno Guimaraes, a midfielder who made a name for himself at Newcastle, priced at 101 million USD, and Christos Tzolis, the forward who won the Belgian League's best player award last season, costing 46 million USD. The London club also welcomed another new signing, goalkeeper Illan Meslier from Leeds, on a free transfer.

Conversely, Arsenal sold four players: goalkeeper Karl Hein, defender Jakub Kiwior, midfielder Christian Norgaard, and forward Leandro Trossad, generating 54 million USD. This sum significantly offsets a portion of their investment in new signings.

Looking ahead, manager Arteta may continue to refine his squad by loaning out Ethan Nwaneri for a second consecutive season. The 19-year-old English midfielder recently returned after playing the latter half of last season for Marseille. "I want Ethan to stay, but we also need to consider what is best in the medium and long term", said the Arsenal manager. "He needs to play. If he stays, it means we can guarantee him playing time. But if not, that's not good for anyone involved."

Arsenal will kick off the 2026-2027 season with the Community Shield match against Man City on 16/8. Five days later, manager Arteta's team will begin their Premier League title defense by hosting Coventry City.

By Thanh Quy (according to Daily Mail)