Mikel Arteta has outlined Arsenal’s plans to improve their title-winning squad, with further arrivals expected before the window closes.
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal hope to make their remaining transfer plans more concrete “very soon” as preparations for the new season continue.
The Gunners are in Catalonia this week, working towards their first public pre-season fixture against Girona. Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis, both new faces, have already linked up with the squad.
Arsenal’s official website has confirmed that further arrivals are expected before the window closes, though the club is keeping both targets and positions under wraps for now.
Arteta’s words point to plenty happening behind the scenes, with the manager suggesting the ownership, board and sporting department are united in their desire to improve a squad that won the Premier League last season.
“A lot is happening,” Arteta said. “We all know about the context of this transfer window.
“From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individuals.”
This summer feels different for Arsenal compared to recent transfer windows.
No longer are Arsenal chasing an end to their long title drought. Now, Arteta faces the challenge of defending the Premier League crown while keeping the team competitive in Europe and the domestic cups.
Meslier brings another option in goal, while Tzolis looks to replace a Trossard-sized hole.
Their arrivals have bolstered Arteta’s options, but it’s clear from the club’s own messaging that the summer business is far from finished.
Arteta kept his cards close to his chest on which areas he wants to strengthen. Instead, he spoke about how the club has looked at ways the squad can grow and how Arsenal’s football might need to evolve in the months ahead.
“We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that,” he added.
“Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”
There’s encouragement that more movement could be on the way, though Arteta stopped short of confirming another signing is just around the corner.
Any new arrival will be measured against a squad that has already delivered a league title. Depth is always valuable over a long campaign, but Arteta’s mention of 'better individuals' hints that the Gunners are also searching for players who can push the current first team even further.
The Girona game will offer the first public glimpse of how Meslier and Tzolis are bedding in. It’s also a chance for Arteta to run the rule over returning senior players and the younger faces included in the travelling squad.
What is clear from Arteta is that recruitment is ongoing, with everyone at the club pulling in the same direction to push the champions to new heights.