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Mikel Arteta: 'We need to increase the competition internally'
Arsenal will splash more cash before the summer transfer window closes, manager Mikel Arteta said, insisting the Premier League champions will not "sit still" while they prepare to defend their first English top-flight title in 22 years.
Arsenal - who play Real Betis at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday - have been relatively quiet in the market compared to big-spending rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea, but the north London side have been linked with moves for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.
While Arteta would not be drawn on Arsenal's reported pursuit of the pair, he told reporters on Saturday that the club were determined to "improve and evolve" the squad.
"We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously," the Spaniard added, speaking after a 4-1 pre-season win over Girona.
"We want to get better like anybody else, and you just can see the transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing. We won't sit still and we are very ambitious with what we are doing.
"The margins are very small, because we want to get better and the level is going to increase. We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don't have in the team."
Arsenal have so far signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier and forward Christos Tzolis, while defender Piero Hincapie has joined permanently after spending the last season at the Emirates on loan.
They begin the defence of their Premier League title at home against promoted Coventry City on 21 August.
Danny Welbeck: 'I've got that fire in my belly'
Meanwhile Brighton striker **Danny Welbeck** \- formerly of Arsenal - has completed a move to Chelsea after signing a two-year deal.
The 35-year-old, who has been capped 42 times by England, will head straight for Hong Kong to join up with head coach Xabi Alonso and his new team-mates on their pre-season tour.
Welbeck, who began his career at Manchester United and also enjoyed a five-year spell with the Gunners, told the Blues' official website: "When you hear of the interest from Chelsea, it’s something that fills you with such immense pride.
"I’m really honoured to come to a club of this stature at what feels like a really exciting time.
"I’ve got that fire in my belly and I’m ready to give it everything for this club to make everyone at Chelsea, and the supporters, proud."