Mikel Arteta is eyeing more additions to his Arsenal squad as they close in on a deal for Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal are finalising a deal worth around £40million for the 22-year-old, who was left out of Bologna’s training camp on Monday in anticipation of a move.
The Gunners are expected to be active after that, with a new midfielder and forward their priorities, and Arteta has spoken of the need to “upgrade” this summer.
Arsenal are interested in Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, although reports in Spain claim Barcelona are chasing both players, too.
“We know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources, especially in terms of numbers where we are very short,” Arteta told reporters in Los Angeles after Arsenal arrived for their US tour.
“We will try our best but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better.”
Arsenal have narrowly missed out on winning the Premier League in each of the past two season, with Manchester City pipping them to the title.
The club are determined to mount another challenge this season and Arteta believes they are heading in the right direction.
“Perfection in this league requires different standards to relate that word to winning the Premier League,” he said. “That’s what we need to do, we need to upgrade everything we’re doing and improve in every area. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“We are so close. There are moments where we had really fine margins. We have earned to be there, and obviously we want much more and we are going to try to get it.
“When you are so close, you really want to grab it. But I think you have to analyse the whole thing. “In the end, the outcome of this football club has to be to win major trophies, and we are in the process to achieve that – we are very close. The level that we are showing is extremely high, but it’s not been enough to win it. That’s the target.
“We’re certainly heading in the right direction and we are travelling at a really high speed with the things that we have transformed not only in the football side, but I think as a club as well. Now what is missing is to bring the big titles back home.”
As well as incomings, there are expected to be a number of departures at Arsenal this summer.
Eddie Nketiah is the latest player to attract interest and it is understood Marseille are eyeing a move for him.
Credit: The Standard
