Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Arteta challenges Arsenal board to back him this summer
Mikel Arteta has laid down the gauntlet to the Arsenal board this summer, challenging hierarchy to “do what they have to do” in the transfer market.
Arsenal guaranteed their place in the Champions League next season with a 1-0 win over Newcastle in their penultimate match of the season on Sunday. The win also virtually nailed down Arsenal’s third successive runners-up finish, a fact not lost on all associated with the club.
A cagey Mikel Arteta in his post match press conference said Arsenal would be looking to chase their dream of winning silverware next season, and that this summer’s window is a crucial opportunity to strengthen the squad.
“Finish the season, go to the beach, enjoy a few days and make sure the ones upstairs, they do what they have to do” he said when asked about Arsenal’s plans for the summer.
He continued: “We have to be very smart with the decisions that we take. Obviously, we need players because the squad is really short, and on top of that we are losing four or five players that are going to end contracts, and their loans are finished.
“So, we need to be sharp. Again, very disciplined in what we want to do, and make sure that we are strong in the next season.”
“The plan is done and the timing will be dictated by many parties, many circumstances that unfortunately we don’t control. But we have great people in charge of that, and they’re going to be leading that with the board and ownership.
“And as well, make sure that the ones that we have, they feel valued, they feel loved, and we make sure that they want to continue with us in the right manner.”
Arteta demands support
One of those people in charge is Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s new sporting director who was brought in to help take the club to the next level. Berta is respected for his ability to identify talent and get deals over the line, and Arteta will be hoping Berta is the man to deliver his top targets.
Arsenal are set to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer, with official confirmation expected to come once the season ends. The club meanwhile continue to be linked to Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig, and Alexander Isak of Newcastle, as a striker is known to be Arsenal’s top priority this summer.
Left wing is also a known area of interest for Arsenal, with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams continuing to be tracked.
Berta is set for a busy summer, with several contract extensions and departures also in need of sorting out. The club are set to enter contract talks with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and impending free agent Thomas Partey.
Kieran Tierney, Neto, Jorginho, and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all set to depart – as is Raheem Sterling who’s loan deal will not be made permanent.
