Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will continue trying to improve their squad until Tuesday night's transfer deadline after their 1-0 win at Aston Villa
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are not done yet in the transfer market, with the club still working to add to their squad before the window shuts on Tuesday night.
The Gunners have already reshaped their squad in significant ways this summer, but after the narrow 1-0 win at Aston Villa, Arteta made it clear the club could still have more business to do.
Asked in his post-match press conference whether Arsenal could add another player following changes to their options on the left side of attack, Arteta said: “As I said, we are trying to improve the squad and till tomorrow night, we're going to try to do that.”
Arteta explained he had kept his focus firmly on the match, choosing to step away from any transfer developments in the build-up to Villa Park.
“I've been disconnected from the world for 24 hours because I think my energy and focus has to be on the match,” Arteta said. “I will get back on it now.”
The club has until 11pm BST on Tuesday, September 1 to finalise any remaining Premier League deals.
Arsenal Still Looking for More Before Deadline Day Ends
Arteta stopped short of promising another signing or naming a specific position as the main focus.
He was asked directly about attacking options, especially after losing Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, though Christos Tzolis did arrive from Club Brugge earlier in the window.
Tzolis has wasted little time making an impression on Arsenal's left flank. The Greece international, signed for around £34 million after Trossard's move to Besiktas, started both of the club's opening Premier League games.
But Arsenal's transfer activity has stretched far beyond just the left side of attack.
Bruno Guimaraes came in from Newcastle United for £75 million, Ezri Konsa swapped Aston Villa for North London, and Illan Meslier joined after his Leeds contract expired. Piero Hincapie was added at the start of the window with his loan from Bayer Leverkusen made permanent.
Arteta made it clear earlier in August that Arsenal were actively searching for more quality and depth. His latest comments show that stance remains unchanged, even with the clock ticking down on the window.
His reasoning was evident during the win at Villa Park.
Arteta Points to Arsenal Squad Depth After Aston Villa Win
Arsenal lined up without William Saliba and Jurrien Timber again, and then lost Cristhian Mosquera during the match as he felt he was on the verge of a physical issue.
That meant Konsa was called on for his Arsenal debut, facing his former club just weeks after leaving Villa.
When asked if the Gunners had enough variety up front, Arteta instead pointed to the demands placed on the whole squad.
“We knew that with Willi out we had an injury in the backline with Jurrien, we're in big trouble,” he said. “So we had to do Ezri and today Mosquera was, he could not continue.
“So we know that the depth has to be really big when you are fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play as well. So we're going to try to do that.”
Arteta later clarified that Mosquera was “fine”, explaining that the defender felt as though he was “about to have something” rather than confirming an injury.
Arsenal's bench proved crucial in closing out the win at Villa Park, with Arteta calling it a 'squad victory.' Konsa stepped in at the back, while Guimaraes made his return after missing the league opener.
There are no guarantees Arsenal will bring in another player before the deadline, but Arteta has made it clear the club will keep pushing until the window slams shut.
With the Villa game now behind him, Arteta can turn his attention back to the final pieces of Arsenal's puzzle of a transfer window.