Mikel Arteta has meant serious business in the transfer window. During the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, Arsenal maintained their position at the top of the standings for 248 days, only to narrowly miss out on the Premier League Silverware in the last weeks of the season to Manchester City, who secured a treble victory.
The Gunners, highly hurt by their failure to clinch the Premier League title, have invested over £200 million to acquire the services of three fresh talents. They look to have plenty of options when the season gets tough, and even the rough are wearied.
Mikel Arteta understands squad depth is crucial
Mikel Arteta has been busy in the transfer market. In January, Arteta successfully brought in Jorginho from Chelsea for £12m. And this summer, the club signed Declan Rice from West Ham United for a fee of £105m. Arsenal did not stop there; Sky Sports reported that they also completed the signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax for a fee of £34m in addition to getting German forward Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65m.
Mikel Arteta already has excellent options in these areas but has not hesitated to welcome substantial additions to the team. Thomas Partey and Zinchenko are already strong team members, but Mikel Arteta is unrelenting in his effort for an Arsenal depth.
When interviewed about Arsenal’s signing, Mikel Arteta said, “We have two great left-wingers, two great strikers, and two great holding midfielders. We have Jorginho, we have Thomas [Partey], and we have Declan [Rice]. It’s not a problem.”
🗣️ “We have two great left-wingers, two great strikers and two great holding midfielders. We have Jorginho, we have Thomas [Partey] and we have Declan [Rice]. It’s not a problem.”
Mikel Arteta says he needs squad depth in all positions including goalkeeper. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/7fzPLmIFEK
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 17, 2023
Update on Arsena’s new targets to bolster the squad
Playing numerous Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carling Cup matches could cause severe fatigue or injuries during the season. Therefore, the need to have squad depth cannot be emphasized enough.
Due to this, Mikel Arteta has been resolute on adding new players to the squad while and a number of squad players have applauded this move seeing how traumatic it must have been for them not to win the title last season. Ben said: “It was really nice when I came back on the first day, and they were waiting for us,”
Brazilian defender Gabriel echoing Ben White’s statement also endorses the work of his manager. “Mikel [Arteta] does all he can to help us understand what winning is. We have a new member of the family. I hope it helps us.”
The Gunners are looking to have a run at the Premier League title again this season. Hence, they have reinforced the team and increased its depth.
