Arsenal strengthened an already formidable squad during the summer transfer window, but their failure to land a game-changing attacker could prove to be the biggest gamble of their Premier League title defence.
"Very ambitious, very fast, and very smart."
That was Mikel Arteta's vision for Arsenal's transfer business following their Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in May.
The Gunners entered the summer as Premier League champions after ending a 22-year wait for the title, finishing seven points clear. They also went through their Champions League campaign without losing in normal time, with their only defeat coming against PSG on penalties.
Yet despite their success, Arsenal identified their attack as an area capable of further improvement.
Viktor Gyokeres, signed from Sporting for £64 million last summer, scored 21 goals during his debut campaign. However, questions remain over whether the Sweden international is the ideal long-term striker for Arteta's system.
There were similar concerns on the left wing. Leandro Trossard's form declined after a strong start to the season, while Gabriel Martinelli scored six Champions League goals but managed just once in the Premier League.
Both players have now left, increasing the pressure on Arsenal's remaining attacking options.
Arsenal's ambitions extend beyond retaining their domestic crown. The club wants to establish itself among the world's elite.
Chief executive Richard Garlick has publicly outlined that ambition while acknowledging that Arsenal's improvement has made recruitment increasingly difficult because fewer players are capable of significantly strengthening the squad.
That challenge became clear this summer.
Sporting director Andrea Berta explored several high-profile options, with Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Jr all among Arsenal's targets.
None arrived.
Arsenal's pursuit of Vinicius became public and centred heavily on the Brazil international's contract situation at Real Madrid. The Spanish giants ultimately improved their offer to the winger as Arsenal intensified their interest.
There was nevertheless a period when Arsenal believed they had a genuine opportunity to bring one of world football's leading attackers to north London.
Questions may also be asked about the decision not to push harder for Rogers.
Arsenal maintained an £80 million valuation of the forward before Chelsea eventually paid £117 million to sign the former Aston Villa player.
Barcola was another option, although Arsenal had reservations about the fee required before Liverpool completed a deal for the France international.
That left Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez as Arsenal's most realistic remaining target.
Atletico had refused to negotiate with Barcelona, seemingly leaving Arsenal as the Argentine's main potential destination. Arteta presented his plans directly to Alvarez, but the forward eventually returned to training with Atletico and the proposed transfer failed to materialise.
While Arsenal failed to land their marquee attacking target, they still invested heavily in strengthening other areas of Arteta's squad.
The Gunners signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75 million and Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £55 million.
They also converted Piero Hincapie's loan into a permanent £34.5 million transfer and recruited Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34 million.
Tzolis struggled during Arsenal's victory over Aston Villa on Monday but had already impressed in the Community Shield triumph against Manchester City and the opening Premier League victory over Coventry.
Guimaraes has quickly been described as one of the standout signings of the transfer window.
Konsa also arrives with impressive numbers. Last season, the England defender recorded a 73.1% ground-duel success rate and 95% passing accuracy, both league-leading figures among defenders.
His arrival takes Arsenal's number of senior defenders to eight, although injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber contributed to the decision to strengthen that department.
Arsenal's outgoing business has been just as significant.
Gabriel Martinelli is close to completing a move to Al-Hilal worth around £60 million, which would represent a club-record sale.
Trossard has joined Besiktas for £15.3 million, while Christian Norgaard completed a £7 million move to Everton.
Gabriel Jesus has also departed, joining Barcelona for £12.8 million.
The Brazilian was no longer an integral part of Arteta's starting XI because of injuries and competition for places, but still made 27 appearances in all competitions last season and scored six goals.
The departures have created an obvious concern.
Arsenal have allowed two established left-sided forwards in Martinelli and Trossard to leave while signing only one direct replacement.
One potential solution is Eberechi Eze.
With Martinelli and Trossard gone, the England international should receive more opportunities from the left, a position in which he excelled at Crystal Palace.
Eze featured on the left in several of Arsenal's biggest matches last season and produced another impressive performance from that position against Aston Villa on Monday.
Arteta also has greater depth through the middle than he did for much of last season.
Kai Havertz missed significant periods through injury, while Mikel Merino — another option at centre-forward — also spent time on the sidelines. Both have started the new campaign fully fit.
Those absences forced Gyokeres to shoulder much of Arsenal's attacking responsibility during his first season in England.
However, doubts over the Swedish striker's suitability remain, particularly after he failed to play a single minute across Arsenal's opening two Premier League fixtures.
There is little doubt Arsenal wanted to add an elite attacker this summer — provided the right player became available.
They explored some of the biggest names on the market but refused to compromise significantly on valuations or their recruitment strategy simply to complete a deal.
That approach could eventually prove sensible.
Arsenal can return to the market in January or wait until next summer when another world-class target becomes available.
But after winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final, questions will inevitably be asked about why Arteta, Berta and co-chair Josh Kroenke were unable to capitalise on Arsenal's position and land one of their preferred attacking targets.
The counterargument is that Arsenal already possess one of Europe's deepest squads.
Their bench against Aston Villa featured nine full internationals, including World Cup winners Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi.
Guimaraes has strengthened the midfield, Konsa provides further defensive quality and Tzolis offers another attacking option.
Arsenal therefore remain among the early favourites to retain their Premier League crown.
But the calculation is clear.
If Eze flourishes from the left, Arsenal's existing forwards remain fit and Gyokeres proves he can become the striker Arteta needs, their decision not to spend heavily on another attacker could look like disciplined recruitment.
If goals become difficult to find, however, Arsenal's failure to land a world-class forward could quickly become the defining criticism of their summer transfer window.
