Andrea Berta will be expected to significantly bolster Mikel Arteta's squad this summer. Throughout January, the Arsenal boss regularly called on higher-ups at the Emirates Stadium to strengthen his side following injuries to key players.
Despite publicly asking for reinforcements on numerous occasions, Arteta's demands fell on deaf ears, leaving him powerless in the Premier League title race. Once the window shut, the Spaniard said: "We had a clear intention which is always when a window opens for us to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact
"With players injured, we've been impacted - and we haven't achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were."
The Arsenal boss added: "It's in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there is a lot of ways, and a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve."
With Berta now by Arteta's side, the Gunners will be expected to wheel out the war chest this summer. Nico Williams has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for a while now following his impressive performances for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish top flight.
football.london understands that Arsenal are long admirers of the 22-year-old winger. Arteta is said to be a 'very big fan' of his fellow countryman, who first caught his eye before he burst onto the scene at the Euros.
In a column for The Athletic, David Ornstein said: "Arsenal's long-running pursuit of Williams - based on MA's desire to sign him - is well documented. A recruit in that position has been on the agenda for some time and it remains the case.
"I have no reason to doubt the reports of a meeting taking place between his agent and Athletic Bilbao, however that is pretty normal... You'd be more surprised if meetings with the representatives of targets were not happening.
"Clearly it seems like Arsenal will try again and I doubt they will be alone; the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool are among the many clubs to have considered and/or pursued him.
"But this is a highly challenging deal to do and therefore there is no guarantee it happens. There is a release clause in the region of €60m (£50.5m) and that needs to be paid in full, plus a very healthy salary.
"We reported some time ago that Williams is expected to be more open to a move in the summer of 2025 than previously, however he is still only 22 and his ties to Athletic Bilbao and their coach are very strong. Not an easy one for me to call, I'm afraid."
Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Liverpool following his eye-catching displays for Bournemouth. On whether Arsenal could join the race for the teenage defender's signature, Ornstein added: "Not aware of Arsenal being in for Dean Huijsen, and I could only see a centre-back arriving if there is departure.
"The obvious name that springs to mind is Jakub Kiwior, but we've been here before... He generates interest, especially from Italy, but so far nothing has come to fruition.
"Kieran Tierney and potentially Oleksandr Zinchenko leaving would theoretically create space to strengthen at left-back, but the presence of Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly means that is by no means certain."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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