Mikel Arteta has made Arsenal’s transfer stance clear following their final pre-season outing, with further additions still being explored.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are still “actively” looking to strengthen their squad before the end of the summer transfer window.
Speaking after the Gunners's 1-1 draw with Como, Arteta outlined Arsenal's interest in adding to the squad.
The Gunners have already added some depth to the squad this summer. Illan Meslier provides further cover in goal, whilst Christos Tzolis replaced an outgoing Leandro Trossard. Since adding former Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes to their midfield, with the Brazilian making his first appearance in Arsenal colours at the Emirates tonight.
Arteta made clear that Arsenal would still like to add more quality if the right opportunities emerge.
“There is more that we want to do because every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that. But we are actively trying to do so.”
Similar to previous comments, the Spaniard didn’t go as far as promising further arrivals, explaining that Arsenal can’t control every aspect of the market.
“The thing in the market, it doesn’t just depend on you, and we are very clear on that. But the approach, the will, and the desire of the club, that’s unquestionable, and we want to try to do that.
“But we cannot promise that now we’re going to do it because, as again, it doesn’t only depend on us.”
Arsenal entered the summer window with a Premier League-winning squad, but as highlighted by Sporting Director Andrea Berta in the announcement of Bruno Guimaraes’ signing, they wanted to add to the squad to increase internal competitiveness that was views as “essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies”
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Arsenal aren’t looking directly at squad players; they have been exploring players they believe can help them remain Premier League Champions. The difficulty is the number of available players on the market who can do just that.
“I think for the margin to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club. But again, we are actively looking to improve that, and we’re going to try.” Arteta said.
The response echoes his own comment following Arsenal’s pre-season defeat to Borussia Dortmund, where the Spaniard had already noted that the Gunners were only going to act on the “right player”
As ever, Arteta’s comments don’t go as far as to revealing who Arsenal are looking to sign or which position they could target next, but they are clear that the club are remaining active in the market and willing to make a move for the right player if they believe he can improve the squad.
Arsenal’s immediate attention now turns to the Community Shield. Manchester City await at the Principality Stadium as Arsenal look to secure one more piece of silverware before the start of the new Premier League season.
Whether another player joins Arteta’s group before the transfer deadline will depend on what becomes available, but the Arsenal manager has made clear that the club’s summer recruitment work is not necessarily finished.