Saudi Pro League confirm transfer decision which affects Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham plans

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham could still lose number of key players this summer even though the English transfer window has already shut

Saudi Arabian clubs could still deal Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham major blows this summer even if the transfer window in England has slammed shut. Mikel Arteta, Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou all offloaded numerous players throughout July and August in a bid to trim down their first-team squads.

However, while the Gunners, the Blues and the Lilywhites thought that they wrapped up any final business on September 1, they are still in limbo for a couple more days. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation have confirmed – once again – that the Saudi Pro League transfer window will in fact close on Thursday September 7.

The deadline is at midnight in Saudi Arabia which is 10pm in the United Kingdom, meaning that Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham could be left helpless if a Saudi Arabian side come calling. The next window for Saudi Pro League clubs will be from January 1 to January 30 2024.

Last month, Arteta voiced his concerns about the transfer window in the Middle East. Ahead of the Gunners' clash against Fulham, who were left without Aleksandar Mitrovic after he pushed to join Al Hilal, the Spaniard said: "I think we have to change that."

Then, when asked if losing a player will destabilise a Premier League club's campaign, Arteta replied: "Yes, very much. The principle would be [not to sell after September 1] but I cannot make the decision for the club.

"It is a lot of people involved in that process and they would have a say, the ownership, would do the same. It would be on the table like with any offer and you have to look at it. The only thing I'm saying is it's not ideal because