Mikel Arteta is expecting a “big summer” of spending as Arsenal endeavour to take “the next step” and end their wait for silverware.
Arsenal have not won a major trophy since 2020 when they lifted the FA Cup and many have criticised the Gunners for not splashing the cash on a prolific striker in recent transfer windows.
The North Londoners have suffered without the presence of a natural centre-forward since the turn of the year, with both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz currently sidelined with long-term injuries.
Arsenal are set to miss out on the Premier League title and finish second for a third successive season, but Arteta is “excited” for what the future holds for him and his team going forward.
“It’s going to be a big one (summer) and we are very excited about it,” Arteta said at a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League home clash with Fulham on Tuesday.
Arsenal expected to prioritise striker signing in “big summer”
“When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.
“Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary.
“But it’s a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.”
Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of high-profile strikers in recent months, with Newcastle United‘s Alexander Isak believed to be high on their list of targets, although the Magpies are determined to keep hold of the 25-year-old who is valued in excess of £100m.
Fellow Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon has allegedly been identified as an alternative, while Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Hugo Ekitike, RB Leipzig‘s Benjamin Sesko, Fiorentina‘s Moise Kean and Lille‘s Jonathan David – who is out of contract this summer – have also been linked with the Gunners.
Arteta hopes Berta will brings his own “twist” on Arsenal’s recruitment
Arteta is set to work closely on transfer with Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta, whose arrival at the Emirates Stadium was confirmed on Monday four months after the resignation of Edu.
“I think it’s a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team, a team that is already formed with a lot of great people,” Arteta said of Berta’s arrival. “You just met him and straight away the words that come out are always winning, improving and demanding.”
Asked if he was involved in Berta being hired, Arteta added: “Yeah, we were all involved, and what I like the most immediately is how much he wanted to come to the club. He was really attracted and really excited about that possibility, and then the way he believes that he can help us to achieve what we want.
“All the work that the recruitment – Jason [Ayto], James [King] and all the boys – have been doing is prepared. That planning has to be tweaked because what you execute most of the time ends up being a bit different from the direction of the vision.
“What we want to do is clear. He [will] jump on board with that and hopefully he [will] twist it and make it better. That’s why he’s here.”
Arsenal’s primary focus is on ending the current campaign on a high; the Gunners may be sitting 12 points behind Premier League champions-elect Liverpool with nine games left to play, but they are still competing in the Champions League and will face Real Madrid over two legs in the quarter-finals later this month.
