Arsenal ended last season as runners-up in the Premier League, just like the year before that, to eventual champions Manchester City. Now, the Gunners have set their sights on landing the title this coming season. Manager Mikel Arteta explained the transfer plans of the club, ensuring that the squad was “upgraded” for the upcoming season.
The Gunners finished last season two points behind City, level with them for wins and goal difference. Arteta acknowledged that if Arsenal is to win the Premier League, then new talent, in addition to that already showing promise, is required to strengthen their title challenge this year.
“We have to improve,” Arteta said. “When you are so close, you want to grab it. The standards needed to win this league are different ones, and that is what we have to do. We need to upgrade in everything we’re doing. We have to improve in every area and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, whose side he played a crucial role in qualifying for the Champions League. While Arteta refused to give any update on tying up the deal, he said the club was working hard to make new signings.
“There is still a lot of time left in the window,” Arteta added. “We know certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources. The main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players that we have and making them better.”
The Gunners will face Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Liverpool in a preseason tour in the USA before opening their Premier League campaign with a match against Wolves on August 17.
