Arteta eyes new faces while Galatasaray circle Martinelli
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are still looking to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes, but admits the number of players capable of improving the Premier League champions is limited.
The Gunners have already completed one marquee signing in Bruno Guimaraes and added the highly rated Christos Tzolis following Leandro Trossard’s departure. However, attempts to recruit another elite attacker have so far come to nothing.
An ambitious move for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior failed to materialise, while another long-term target, Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, has also proved beyond reach.
Asked what comes next, Arteta made it clear Arsenal remain active.
“There is more that we want to do, because every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth, we need to do that.
“We’re actively trying to do so – the thing is, in the market, it doesn’t just depend on you, and we’re very clear on that. The will and the desire of the club is unquestionable, but we cannot promise that we’re going to do it because it doesn’t only depend on us.”
He added: “For the margins to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring more quality to the club. But again, we’re actively looking to improve that and we’re going to try.”
Any further arrivals are likely to be offset, at least in part, by departures. There appears to be no shortage of interest in several members of Arteta’s current squad.
Napoli continue to be linked with Gabriel Jesus, West Ham seemingly want Reiss Nelson, Ethan Nwaneri’s future remains the subject of speculation and reports in Turkey claim Galatasaray have offered €45 million for Gabriel Martinelli. While The Athletic reports the Brazilian is not agitating for a move, that does not necessarily mean sporting director Andrea Berta would refuse the right offer.
Indeed, there appear to be very few untouchables in Arteta’s squad. Even Myles Lewis-Skelly found himself at the centre of transfer rumours this week after reports suggested Chelsea and Manchester United had been informed the England international could be available at the right price. Those claims have since been firmly dismissed by the player’s representatives.
After Lewis-Skelly scored in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Como, celebrating enthusiastically in front of the Emirates crowd, Arteta was understandably unwilling to fuel the speculation.
“He’s a very emotional player, you see with his gestures on the pitch. I’m not going to talk about speculation – if there is speculation about our players, it’s a good sign – that means our players attract attention and are doing a good job.
“He’s had a really good pre-season. We asked him to play in a different position because he played more as a number six – we obviously lacked midfielders from international duty – and I think he had a really consistent pre-season.”
The sense remains that Arsenal aren’t finished when it comes to transfers. Whether it’s another blockbuster arrival or a quieter piece of business, Berta and Arteta will continue working the phones until the window shuts. The challenge, as Arteta acknowledged, is that players capable of making the champions even stronger don’t become available very often.
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