Runner-up in England, just two points behind Manchester City, Arsenal once again missed out on the Grail by a hair’s breadth. A very frustrating observation for Mikel Arteta. While some are happy to see the Gunners battling for the title again after six or seven years spent playing for a place in the top 7, the Spanish coach does not want to be satisfied with that. Second in the Premier League standings for the second consecutive season, Arteta wants more. Moreover, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant did not hesitate to publicly ask his management to bring him quality reinforcements.
“We have to do it. Perfection in this league requires a different standard. If you associate perfection with winning the Premier League, that’s what we have to do. We have to improve in every area and that’s what we’re trying to do. I don’t know if anyone will join us. There’s still a long time to go until the end of the season, but I think it’s more a question for Edu and the board. When you’re that close, you want to grab it. We’re very close.”he said, in remarks relayed by the Mirror.
Arteta wants something heavy
At a time when Manchester United’s INEOS version has taken out its cheque book (€105 million, editor’s note) to buy Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, while perhaps waiting for Xavi Simons and Manuel Ugarte, Arsenal has only spent €30 million to permanently recruit David Raya and has bought Ajax’s hopeful, Tommy Setford. A very poor result for Arteta with a big month to go before the end of the transfer window. However, let’s remember that the Gunners are positioned on other files.
The first is of course that of the Italian defender of Bologna, Riccardo Calafiori. A revelation with Italy during the last Euro, the Transalpine should cost around €50 million to the London club. The Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad) is also being tracked, but Arsenal is mainly looking for a real goalscorer. Ivan Toney (Brentford) and Alexander Isak (Newcastle) have been mentioned, but nothing is moving on the horizon. Will the Arsenal board be able to meet the demands of its coach?
