Arteta will want a number of new signings this summerArteta will want a number of new signings this summer
Arteta will want a number of new signings this summer | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal are said to be working on deals already ahead of the summer.
Arsenal could be set for an exciting summer as they look to bridge the gap between themselves and Premier League champions Liverpool. The Gunners may have drawn with the Reds over the weekend, but they are currently 15 points behind Arne Slot’s side, and they have fallen a long way short this season.
Mikel Arteta’s men haven’t had much luck with injuries, but they have still been short of quality in a number of positions. Arsenal haven’t had a good enough alternative to Martin Odegaard when their skipper has been absent, while they have also had poor competition out wide, leading to disappointing form from Gabriel Martinelli in the first half of the season, and they have needed an out-and-out goalscorer for at least 18 months at this point.
There are big questions to be asked about Arsenal’s squad building over the last two years, and it’s something the club must rectify this summer. Andrea Berta has been brought in as sporting director after the departure of Edu Gaspar under his own will, and it will be interesting to see how the dynamic works between Arteta and Berta.
There were reports over the weekend claiming that Arsenal had agreed a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. It’s not the first time that has been reported, but it does seem likely that the Gunners will get that deal done at some point this summer. In the meantime, fans are getting excited about other possible recruits this summer, with a striker clearly high on the list of priorities.
Arteta on Liverpool draw
Arsenal boss Arteta admitted to feeling very upset after his side’s first-half performance against Liverpool, with the Gunners having to come from behind to draw 2-2. he said: “A lot of parts, especially the defending standards that we had and the areas that after we gave the ball away which is totally prohibited against this team.
“Very far off it, really upset. We had a reaction; I hate reaction, I like action and especially we want to be there winning trophies. You want to be a moment that you win it or you don't, and when you don't have to, after you have to play another one that you have been working for nine months and that's here today. And if you cannot win it, you have to be the best of the rest. And I was really, really upset.”
On the comeback and the positives, the Spaniard added: “When I look back to the 2-2 game at home and we should have probably won it, probably. I think we should have won it and today we should have lost it, and it could have been three or four.
“The first 25 minutes they missed another two big chances as well - it's about the consistency and the level, at the highest level we can compete against any team in the world, and we have shown that now for the last two, three seasons. Against the top six, I think we haven't lost any single game, so that tells you, as a team we are very, very consistent. We can compete with anybody. But actually to win it and win, win, win, win, win, we're going to need something else apart from availability as well, certain demands and make sure that we don't talk about reaction, because I hate that word.”
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