Mikel Arteta has spoken about Arsenal's transfer window so far, as well as what Premier League rivals have done
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta insisted he is happy with the ‘ambition’ Arsenal have shown in the transfer market despite having admitted they want more from the time that remains.
So far the club have added Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier and signed Piero Hincapie on a permanent deal, investing over £150million into a side already capable of lifting the Premier League crown.
Arteta has said previously they remain active and with desires to add at least one more forward and a defender, he was squeezed on whether he actually was as happy as he has insisted he is with the business completed so far.
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“I am really happy with the squad, the players that I have and I am really happy with the ambition of the club,” Arteta said. “There is zero question about that.
“And we have shown that in the manner we have tried to act. But I think we need to do it our own way. We have super strengths and we have other areas we need to be very conscious because we don’t have the elements or the structure that other clubs have.
“We need to do it our way. We are always on it that way and we will do what we believe is the right thing to do. To have the best possibility to compete in every competition that’s for sure.”
Arsenal have been keen on several high-profile stars this summer, but have unfortunately been unable to secure them for a variety of reasons.
Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea despite strong interest from Arsenal, with the Blues willing to meet Aston Villa’s £117million asking price which the Premier League champions simply were not.
Meanwhile, the club made a considerable effort to tempt Vinicius Junior to the club, which forced Real Madrid to improve their own renewal terms to convince the Brazilian to stay.
In addition to Rogers, three other players have moved for at least £100million this summer in Europe, an impact beyond the Gunners control and something Arteta admits he did not expect.
“Yes, it has [surprised me],” Arteta said. “I wouldn't [have] bet on that to be fair.
“But that's the market. There are clubs that are happy to invest or they believe that the valuations of those players are that and that's fair.
“At the end the value of the player is what somebody can pay for you and they've done it. So that's the value and it's the right one because someone is happy to sell and someone is happy to buy.
“And in the middle a player is happy to move from one club to the other. So I think that's fair.”
Julian Alvarez has become another big name linked with the club, with Arteta believed to be a huge fan of the Argentinian.
That said, the former Man City striker is believed to have his heart set on leaving Atletico Madrid for Barcelona, with Arsenal not current seen as a desired option.
Arteta was asked on what he looks for in a player beyond their footballing ability, and the Spaniard made it clear that the key is in how they fit in on a personal level with the group.
“That they are themselves, they don't have to play any character,” he said. “I just want to understand and get to know the person behind them, because that's what makes the player.
“So in relation to the players that we are scouting or thinking about bringing to the club, first of all is understanding that person and then we need to fit them in with the culture and the character that we have in this club.”
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