Mikel Arteta has vowed to embark on a major spending spree this summer, conceding that Arsenal's squad has been "super short" during the current campaign.
Arteta favoured a slender squad setup, placing emphasis on cohesion and unity within the dressing room. However, this strategy has backfired as the Gunners struggled with injuries and bans, which has seen them falter behind league champions Liverpool.
The Arsenal manager is now keen on injecting stellar talent into his side but is also seeking to bolster the squad's numbers. A new striker tops Arsenal's wish list and Arteta is said to hold Newcastle's Alexander Isak in high esteem, while Andrea Berta, the freshly appointed sporting director, is a big admirer of Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres.
Arsenal's shortlist also includes RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, and securing one of these target men is crucial in addressing their striker shortfall.
Furthermore, a £51m move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is in the pipeline, while they are in the hunt for a left-winger, with Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao being one of the candidates.
Even with exits looming - Saudi Arabian clubs are showing interest in Leandro Trossard - Arsenal are ready to support Arteta in the transfer window. Still, he made it clear the club will adhere to its principles and won't spend rashly, focusing instead on strategic acquisitions.
Arteta said: "We will do everything that we can to improve the team and especially improve the players that we already have and whatever the market offers to give us a better chance to win for sure we will try to do it.
"But I think we have to do it our way, and we have to be authentic with ourselves and what we believe and what we can do as well and what we've been doing. That's it."
The Gunners boss also acknowledged that their Premier League season has been a 'backward' step. As they face off against Arne Slot's title-winning side, Arsenal are in search of much-needed points as they look to cling onto second place.
This season's squad limitations became evident as injuries forced Arteta to often fill the substitutes' bench with academy prospects, leaving the first team thin on experienced cover. While injury issues were minimised in previous campaigns, only two outfield players, Declan Rice and William Saliba, have managed to start over 30 Premier League games for Arsenal this term.
In contrast, Liverpool boast ten players crossing the 30-game mark, showcasing Slot’s effective squad rotation but highlighting Arsenal’s comparative lack of reliable options.
Arteta added: "We knew from the beginning of the decision that our squad was super short and being super short we had some players that had a high probability of getting injured, because that's what they had in the last few seasons.
"So we knew that and we cannot do anything about it. But that (availability) is a big thing to win trophies, you know, and Liverpool did that extremely well.
"They managed to maintain that consistency, that level of players, a system, a coach, a stadium that has created again, and consistently, an incredible atmosphere for them.
"So you need a lot of ingredients or you don't win the Premier League. That's the difficulty of it, and it's true that this season we never found that consistently because of the issues that we had."
Arteta also confessed his envy of Liverpool's title celebrations, as Arsenal's last trophy was the FA Cup in 2020 and, much like with Liverpool's title that season, there was no parade due to Covid restrictions.
Arteta added: "I really want it because that is what this club needs and has been so close to achieving. Now we need to make it happen. We have talked about it many times and will continue for sure with the same drive - or more - until we achieve it."