Mikel Arteta said Arsenal is seeking to ‘improve in every conceivable aspect’ and that transfer activity would ‘ramp up a little bit’ once Euro 2024 and the Copa America are over.
Arsenal have been connected with high-profile players in almost every part of the pitch this summer, but three weeks after the transfer season began, they have failed to make any additions to their first-team roster.
However, it is known that work is being done behind the scenes to improve Arteta’s alternatives, with the Gunners aiming to strengthen and freshen up following another season without a major trophy last year.
According to recent rumors, Arsenal is focusing on bringing in midfield reinforcements to give competition and support for Arteta’s engine room, which includes Declan Rice, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard, and Thomas Partey.
The north London club is also looking for a centre-forward and has been linked with a number of high-profile attackers, including Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Arsenal is also focusing on left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko struggling in his second season at the club and Kieran Tierney expected to depart permanently following his loan transfer to Real Sociedad.
Asked whether Arsenal were looking for an attacking player this summer, Arteta told ESPN: ‘We are looking to improve in every possible department.
‘With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down.
‘Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.’
Arteta believes the current transfer market is ‘tricky’ for all clubs to navigate but the Spaniard is hopeful Arsenal will be able to achieve their objectives and agree deals ‘at the right time’.
Asked how active he expects Arsenal to be this summer, Arteta replied: ‘I think both ways [players coming in and going out of the club].
‘There are things that we have to improve, that’s for sure and we are going to try to. But the market is tricky.
‘We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea obviously of what we want to do.
‘It will come down to finding the right agreements at the right time.’
On the potential difficulties of reintegrating players after summer’s international tournaments, the Arsenal manager added: ‘I think we’ve done a lot of planning with what we believe is the best plan for them and the best preparation to be fully ready when the whistle goes on the first day at the Emirates against Wolves.
‘We are going to have to tweak things for sure and adapt because players are going to come in at stages at the moment which are a bit uncertain, physically, mentally.
‘But if you think the players are always connected, they are willing to come back, excited for the new season and when you have that feeling I think something positive will happen again.’
After a painful finish in the Premier League last season, Arteta is looking forward to getting Arsenal’s title challenge underway again, starting with a ‘special’ opening match at home to Wolves.
I enjoy playing the first game at home, for sure. ‘I believe everyone is looking forward to that,’ he added.
‘It will be a memorable day in the new season, beginning with that level of enthusiasm and aspirations. Obviously, we will be well prepared for that one.
‘Then in the Premier League, you have to compete against everyone. It appears tough, but it also appears difficult when viewed from another angle.
‘We are going to have to go through that. We have to be prepared because [the games are] going to come very thick and fast.’