Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta believes that his team still needs to make further additions after the recent loss against Villarreal. The Gunners have come back to the Emirates after completing their pre-season tour in Singapore and Hong Kong, respectively. Arsenal played against Spanish side Villarreal after suffering a loss in the North-London Derby against Spurs in Hong Kong. Although Arsenal’s star signing, Viktor Gyokeres, came off the bench against the Europa League champions, Arteta gave him the start against Villarreal. Despite it being a friendly, Arsenal didn’t find much joy against the Spanish club. After the narrow defeat, Mikel Arteta has reportedly asked the club officials to bring in two new footballers to the team.
It’s been 5 years now Arteta is the manager of this Arsenal team. The former Manchester City assistant coach has built this team again from scratch. But he has still not been able to give Arsenal fans a long- desired trophy. Arsenal have showed the intent in the last season but ultimately went trophyless. This year, Arsenal want to do the redemption. The club badly needs a trophy in the cabinet now. The back to back runners-up of the EPL have thus signed six new footballers so far in this summer transfer window. First, they snatched away Noni Madueke from Chelsea. Then, the Gunners brought in Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi. Then came Christhian Mosquera from Valencia. Mikel Arteta even told the club to get a backup goalkeeper to push David Raya for a healthy competition. So, Arsenal bought Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. Finally, after multiple swings of the pendulum, Arsenal succeeded in getting the services of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The English club have already spent around £200 million in a single transfer window. But Arteta still wants at least two more signings to complete the squad.
Villarreal Got the Better of Arsenal This Time
When Arsenal came up against Villarreal, Arteta wanted to see how his team adjusted to physical football. While, the attacking third of Arsenal kept knocking on the door but the attackers failed to capitalise on most of the game. But the midfield of Arsenal looked pretty solid. A midfield comprising names like Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Christian Norgaard maintained the shape throughout the match. The two wingers, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, constantly carried on crosses into the opponent’s box. But the strikers failed to utilise those. The only concern is now in the defensive backline as Arteta’s side is leaking too many silly goals repeatedly. After this loss against the yellow submarines, Arteta wants the club officials to push harder for securing two more signings by hook or by crook. Clearly, Arteta does not want to keep any loopholes open.
How many players do the Gunners need to be confident enough to challenge Liverpool in the title race this season? As of now, if Arsenal either rope in Rodrygo or Eberechi Eze, Arsenal team will be good to go. Arsenal are still pursuing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. Eventually, the player’s official release clause of £68 million is set to expire this Friday. Arsenal still find the amount too high and they are hoping to get the player at a lower price. On the other hand, Six Sports had reported earlier that Arsenal are still trying to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid. But the Spanish giants will only sell their Brazilian winger if Arsenal accept to give them £100 million. Having already spent £200 million, Arsenal find this amount to be outrageous. They are trying to get Rodrygo on a loan deal. But at this moment, Rodrygo has decided to stay at Real Madrid for one more season.
🚨 Arsenal are planning on approaching Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze and are waiting to see if Real Madrid winger Rodrygo will be allowed to leave on loan.
(Source: @TimesSport) pic.twitter.com/rQM3peiqmR
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Arsenal fans can’t wait to start their highly anticipated season on 17th August against bitter rivals Manchester United. But before that, Mikel Arteta’s team will face Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates.