Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal’s transfer budget is a ‘big concern’ as the club attempt to bridge an ‘enormous’ gap to the Premier League’s leading sides.
Arsenal kept alive their hopes of securing European qualification with a 2-1 victory over newly-crowned champions Liverpool on Wednesday night, though the north London side were gifted both goals after Sadio Mane had earlier put Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead.
Alexandre Lacazette first capitalised on Virgil van Dijk’s wayward back pass under pressure to bring the scores level, before Reiss Nelson hit the Gunners’ winner following a poor clearance from Alisson.
The win keeps alive Arsenal’s hopes of playing in continental competition next season but Arteta admits he is concerned with the club’s ability to compete financially this summer, the Spaniard unsure whether he has the resources available to build a side capable of challenging for honours.
“It’s a big concern,” Arteta told Sky Sports. You can see how [Liverpool] build their squad and there is no magic, you need to improve the squad with quality, quality players. And we need a bigger squad to compete in this competition. That is the challenge.
“It’s a massive job. You only have to look at the difference between the two teams – it’s enormous. The gap in many areas we can’t improve it in two months but the gap between the accountability, the energy, the commitment and the fight between the two teams is now equal.
“Before it wasn’t like this. I’m very proud of that. The rest will take some time but at least we’ve got that now and my message to the players is with that we can create something.”
Arteta reveals Arsenal will take ‘energy and happiness’ of 2-1 Liverpool win into FA Cup semi-final
See also – Five of the best – Players to play for both Liverpool and Arsenal
