Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s ‘exciting’ summer plans | OneFootball

Arsenal are heading into a summer that could define the next phase of Mikel Arteta’s project.

With the margins tight at the top, the plan is clear.

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Mikel Arteta knows this summer matters. The title race is over. The Champions League run ended in Paris. Arsenal are close, but not close enough. That is why changes are coming.

“Very much, yeah,” Arteta said when asked if he’s excited for Arsenal’s summer plans. “Already with the players that we have, and having everybody fit and available, we are a super strong team. What we’ve done in the Champions League semi-final, we haven’t done in 20 years at this football club, with the actual players that we have right now. So, yeah, very, very positive.”

With Andrea Berta now in place as sporting director, Arsenal are preparing for an aggressive window. The focus is on the forward line. Alexander Isak is admired but Newcastle United’s £150 million price and likely Champions League return make a deal unlikely.

Instead, Arsenal are reportedly pushing ahead with moves for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyökeres.

Sesko scored 21 goals for RB Leipzig this season and fits the long-term profile Berta wants. Arsenal have already laid the groundwork. Gyökeres, with 38 league goals for Sporting CP, is a more ready-made option and seen by some at the club as the most realistic choice.

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Asked whether Arsenal need a forward like Mohamed Salah to win the league, Arteta didn’t dodge the question.

“Yeah, I would look more broadly. I think if you score over 90 goals, you have a high, high probability of winning the Premier League. It doesn’t guarantee you, but you have a high probability if the defensive record is very good as well… and how many points he is contributing to those goals.”

He was also clear that nothing has changed since January when he said he wanted top-level reinforcements.

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“I told you, because you were in the room I think many times, I made a very clear statement, and the statement continues the same. I want the best team, the best players. If we have three goalscorers over 25, bring them in, we’re going to be a much better team, yes.”

The left wing is also being looked at. Nico Williams is the top target, though his wage demands are steep. Rafael Leão and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are also under consideration. If Leandro Trossard chooses to move to Saudi Arabia, Arsenal won’t block it.

In midfield, Arsenal are close to a deal for Martin Zubimendi. His €60 million release clause is not seen as a problem. He’s viewed as the long-term partner for Declan Rice. Jorginho will leave for Flamengo, and Oleksandr Zinchenko could follow him out, with Borussia Dortmund interested.

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Players set to leave include Nuno Tavares, Fábio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Reiss Nelson. Tavares will join Lazio, who may sell him on him for a quick profit. Arsenal would then collect 40% through a sell-on clause. Vieira and Lokonga are also likely to go, but Sevilla’s financial problems will prevent them keeping Lokonga permanently.

“Assess what we do, and what we are doing is something that we merit,” Arteta added. “What is happening by luck, what is happening, and understand the reasons why we do it? And what happens today doesn’t mean that the same process… is going to be good tomorrow either. So, don’t get carried away with that, and don’t get too critical or too low when something doesn’t go your way.”

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He doesn’t need reminding how close Arsenal have come.

“We are there, because with the amount of points that we have generated in the last few seasons, we could have two Premier Leagues. So we know how close we are… We have to be a little bit luckier, but still do better to make sure that nobody has a season better than you.”

Contract talks are also moving for Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel. The core of the team is not changing. The plan is about improving it, not starting over.

This summer will be big. Arteta knows it, and Arsenal are finally acting like it.