Mikel Arteta: Arsenal Need to Sign Better Players

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are in need of a “better squad and better individuals” if they are to succeed in taking the club to a higher level this season.

In a clear sign of his expectations this transfer window, the Arsenal manager said he hopes the club will soon make more “concrete moves” in the market.

The Premier League champions have so far signed two players, goalkeeper Illan Meslier and winger Christos Tzolis, but they are keen to strengthen their defence, midfield and attack.

Among the players the north Londoners are showing interest in is Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, although it remains to be seen whether such a big deal will be possible. Arsenal are attempting to position themselves at the front of the queue if Vinícius and Real part ways, which would be against the wishes of José Mourinho, the Real head coach.

As reported by Telegraph Sport, Arsenal are also pushing hard to sign Bruno Guimarães, the Newcastle United captain. As of Wednesday night, Newcastle executives were still awaiting a formal proposal for the 28-year-old. The North East club remain desperate to keep the midfielder.

“A lot is happening,” Arteta said. “We all know about the context of this transfer window. From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level.

“That is going to require a better squad, better individuals. We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”

Arsenal have so far failed to sign two targets, Jeremy Monga and Morgan Rogers, because they were unwilling to match the financial packages offered by Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. Chelsea’s stunning £117m move for Rogers allowed them to leapfrog Arsenal in the race for the England forward’s signature.

Meanwhile, Arteta insisted that the club’s success last season has only enhanced the levels of motivation and determination within his squad.

“This has to be the start and this has to be the standard,” Arteta said. “Excellence has to be our standard and this has to drive to attack the future. The way we behave daily with more and more determination and ambition, because we’ve shown that we’ve got it. Now we have to show that we belong to this level and we want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.”

Arsenal are also keen to sign a new defender this summer following the back injury to key centre-back William Saliba, who will be out of action for months. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is one target but, as of yet, a deal is not believed to be close. There is understood to be a significant gap in valuations between the two clubs, as there was with Rogers.

Source: www.aol.com