Arteta makes Arsenal transfer admission and delivers verdict on £75m summer signing

Mikel Arteta confirmed Arsenal are actively pursuing further signings after completing their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Como at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Arsenal subsequently won 4-3 on penalties, with several players returning from post-World Cup breaks and £75 million signing Bruno Guimaraes making his first appearance for the club.

Myles Lewis-Skelly scored Arsenal’s goal, while Arteta used the fixture to distribute minutes carefully ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City.

The most significant message afterwards concerned transfers, with Arteta admitting Arsenal still believe there are areas where the Premier League champions can improve.

“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,” he said. “We’re actively trying to do so.”

Arsenal have recently renewed their interest in Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, while another attacking addition has also been considered since Vinicius Junior signed a new Real Madrid contract.

Arteta nevertheless stressed that finding genuine upgrades is becoming increasingly difficult given the existing quality of his squad.

“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,” he added.

That position could influence Arsenal’s remaining business, particularly with enormous valuations being placed on several attacking players under consideration.

Guimaraes, meanwhile, provided Arteta with an immediate reminder of the quality already added this summer.

The Brazil international had completed only three training sessions but pushed to feature against Como and scored during the subsequent shootout.

“He’s a player that will make us better, without a doubt,” Arteta said, although he refused to confirm whether the midfielder would start against Manchester City.

Lewis-Skelly also impressed after being deployed in midfield again and celebrated emotionally after opening the scoring.

Arteta revealed that the youngster has predominantly operated as a No 6 during pre-season because of Arsenal’s shortage of midfielders following the World Cup.

Recent speculation surrounding Lewis-Skelly was dismissed by the manager, who suggested interest in Arsenal players should instead be considered a positive reflection of their performances.

Marli Salmon received similarly enthusiastic praise after the 16-year-old continued his increased exposure to senior football.

Arteta described Salmon as a quick learner and “really smart boy”, adding that some of the defender’s individual actions against Como were “exceptional”.

The teenager has taken advantage of Arsenal’s depleted defensive options during pre-season and Arteta now considers him reliable enough to perform a role when required.

Ethan Nwaneri has also returned noticeably more mature following his loan spell at Marseille, despite the midfielder’s six months in France not developing as hoped on the pitch.

Arteta believes dealing with those difficulties away from home has benefited Nwaneri and expressed satisfaction with his performances throughout the summer.

Arsenal’s attention now switches to Wembley, where Sunday’s Community Shield will provide the first competitive examination of their preparations.

Arteta believes Arsenal have “ticked a lot of boxes” during a complicated post-World Cup pre-season, but his transfer comments indicate the squad that faces Manchester City may not be the one that finishes the window.

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