One hole each big six team needs to fill before the transfer deadline

With two games already ticked off in the new Premier League campaign, managers across the top end of the table are frantically making final calls on where to plug the remaining gaps.

Here is the one glaring hole each side must address before the window slams shut.

Arsenal: Forward depth

The departures of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have stripped Mikel Arteta of valuable directness and versatility in the final third. Arsenal may still harbour ambitions of pulling off an ambitious late move for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, but carrying out a deal of that magnitude as the deadline looms feels increasingly difficult.

Even if a marquee target remains out of reach, the Gunners simply cannot afford to leave themselves short of options in attack for a long season ahead. At the very least, bringing in reliable forward depth is a necessity before the window closes.

Manchester City: Central midfield

Enzo Maresca has added bright young talent in the form of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi to act as the long-term successors to Rodri, but the youngsters cannot be expected to carry the leadership burden immediately.

With Nico Gonzalez sold, City find themselves strangely short of proven depth in central midfield. The man targeted to fix the issue is Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, though pulling off such a massive and expensive deal in the final hours of the window will take some doing.

If City are to maintain their suffocating control in big matches, securing midfield reinforcement is critical.

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Manchester United: Left-back

Michael Carrick’s side got their season back on track with a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town, but structural concerns persist in defense. United desperately require adequate cover for the ageing and injury-prone Luke Shaw.

Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is high on their wishlist, yet bringing him to Old Trafford looks practically unattainable in the remaining hours of this summer window. With time running out, United must pivot toward a short-term stop-gap – most likely a loan deal – to ensure they aren't left exposed on the left flank.

Liverpool: Central midfield

Liverpool have once again spent lavishly to bolster their attack, but their tactical balance still hinges on acquiring a true No.6 to anchor the midfield. While their front line looks formidable, the defensive transitions remain a worry when the midfield lacks a dedicated ball-winner.

Monaco’s Lamine Camara, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea, has emerged as a key candidate to monitor. Splashing the cash up front is all well and good, but securing a defensive midfielder is what will truly hold the team together.

Chelsea: Central midfield

Xabi Alonso has enjoyed a tremendous start to life at Stamford Bridge, securing two wins from two – including a chaotic 4-3 thriller against Brighton – to sit high in the early standings.

However, with Enzo Fernandez’s future the subject of late transfer speculation, the Blues could really use an incoming presence in the middle of the park to maintain their momentum. Camara and Roma's Manu Kone have both been strongly linked with late moves to West London as Chelsea look to finalise their engine room.

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Tottenham: Left wing

Spurs have thrown serious money around this summer, acquiring Savio and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City to bolster the right side and central focal point of their attack respectively.

Yet despite that massive outlay, the left wing remains an unaddressed weakness. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye were high on the priority list at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Ndiaye looks destined for Manchester City while Gakpo is set to stay at Anfield. Spurs are now scrambling to seal a loan move for Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk, who played under Roberto De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk.

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