Arsenal: Mikel Arteta wants to add 'more firepower' before transfer window closes
The Gunners' summer recruitment has been excellent – and their manager hopes there's still more business to be done
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined to keep improving his squad in the remaining 11 days of the transfer window.
The Gunners have made some very shrewd signings this summer – including marquee arrival Gabriel Jesus, who has made an electric start to the season following his £45m move from Manchester City – but Arteta wants to see more activity at the Emirates Stadium before the September 1 deadline.
ut Arteta wants to see more activity at the Emirates Stadium before the September 1 deadline. –ut Arteta wants to see more activity at the Emirates Stadium before the September 1 deadline.
Speaking after Arsenal made it three wins from three in 2022-23 with a 3-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday evening, the Spaniard insisted that the Gunners' transfer plans remain the same. He said:
"No, it doesn't change.
"We know as well where we are short, where we have to add more firepower. And if we can do it, we will do it."
However, Arteta warned that more business might prove easier said than done. He added:
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We will try to the end; the transfer window is tricky at the moment. We would like to do something else, but let's see what we can do."
Arsenal continue to be linked with Leicester's Youri Tielemans, although transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri reported earlier this week that Lyon and Brazil star Lucas Paqueta is technical director Edu's top midfield target.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Pepe – who is still the Gunners record signing, having joined for £72m from Lille three years ago – could be on his way out of the Emirates, with The Athletic reporting on Friday that Nice were discussing a loan deal for the Ivorian winger – who wasn't in the squad on Saturday.
Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...