Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad further before the transfer window closes, while acknowledging that there could also be departures from the club.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City, Arteta said Arsenal are using the remaining weeks of the window to assess how they can improve their squad.
“It’s a very exciting part of the season, when a lot of things happen,” Arteta said. “I think you create excitement; there’s an opportunity as well to evolve.”
Arsenal have already completed the £75 million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, but Arteta indicated that the club have identified further areas that need strengthening.
Arteta confirms Arsenal are targeting further squad changes
Asked about reports linking Arsenal with Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah and Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa, Arteta declined to discuss individual players.
“What I can tell you is the ambition of the club, it’s big, we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad,” he said.
“And in order to achieve that, we have obviously detected some areas that can be strengthened and that’s what we are trying to do.”
Arteta also confirmed that Arsenal could see players leave before the window closes.
“It’s always the case; there’s an opportunity there to go both ways and we’ll have to see how the market responds and what we as a club can do,” he said.
The manager also addressed Ethan Nwaneri’s situation after the teenager’s loan spell at Marseille. Arteta wants the 19-year-old to remain at Arsenal, but only if the club can provide enough first-team opportunities.
“I want him to be at the club,” Arteta said. “Ethan needs to play football, and if he stays here, it’s because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes.”
Arsenal face Manchester City in Cardiff on Sunday before Arteta turns his attention back to squad building ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.