Viktor Gyökeres (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arne Slot questions Arsenal’s approach after Anfield defeat

Originally posted on Just Arsenal | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 2:30 PM ET

Arsenal’s trip to Merseyside ended in disappointment, as they fell to a 1–0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Much has been said about the result, but one thing is clear, Arsenal should have done better.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes Arsenal ought to be further along in their development. His post-match comments have piled pressure on Mikel Arteta and his technical staff.

Slot takes aim at Arsenal’s transfer policy

“It’s very positive that we haven’t brought in 27, 28, 29-year-olds that are already, like Luis Díaz, in the prime of their career, if you want to call it,” Slot said as per the BBC.

“We bring in very promising, very talented, very good players, but they will need time to adapt to the Premier League, and then already having nine points is very positive.”

From those remarks, it is hard not to feel that Slot was implying Arsenal have opted for ready-made players, signings expected to hit the ground running. Viktor Gyokeres (27), Eberechi Eze (27), and Christian Nørgaard (31) are among the experienced names Arsenal brought in this summer, in what many consider one of their best transfer windows.

Proven over potential

By pivoting away from youth and investing in experience, Arsenal hoped to replicate the instant lift Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko provided when they arrived from Manchester City in 2022. So far, that impact has not materialised. But it is still early days, and many would argue things have not clicked yet for this refreshed Arsenal team.

Hopefully they will, because if they do not, comments like Slot’s will not be the last to surface. Arteta wanted quality signings, players ready to deliver from day one. He has got them. Now, the pressure is firmly on him to make it count.

Should we be expecting more from the Gunners this early in the season?

Your thoughts appreciated in the comments Gooners.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

This article first appeared on Just Arsenal and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: