Arteta said the bar is high for Arsenal to find players who can improve their starting line-up, amid links with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola
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Mikel Arteta admitted that there are “very few players” in world who can immediately improve Arsenal’s starting line-up but insisted that the Gunners are still trying to land a marquee signing this summer.
The Premier League champions were heavily linked with Vinicius Jr before he signed a new contract with Real Madrid and have now turned their attention to Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
Pulling off either deal would be complex, and require Arsenal to go much higher than the £75m they spent on Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, but the Premier League champions are prepared to be patient.
Arsenal could go back in for Julian Alvarez after Vinicius Jr signed a new deal with Real Madrid
Arsenal could go back in for Julian Alvarez after Vinicius Jr signed a new deal with Real Madrid
“I think for the margins to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club," Arteta said following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Como on Wednesday. “But again, we are actively looking to improve that and we're going to try.”
Arteta confirmed that there is more Arsenal want to do in the market.
“Every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that," he said. "We are actively trying to do so. The thing in the market is that it doesn't just depend on you. We are very clear on that.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly provided an emotional goal celebration amid reports that Arsenal have offered the 19-year-old to Manchester United and Chelsea, but Arteta offered no guarantees over his future.
I'm not going to talk about any speculation,” he said. “If there is a speculation about our player, it's a good sign. That means that we attract attention and they're doing a good job.
"I think he had a really good pre-season. I think we asked him to play in a different position, because he played more as a six, because we lacked central midfielders, obviously with international duties, and I think he had a really consistent pre-season."