Author: Amrit Santlani
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that he still regrets missing the chances of last season, when his side lost the Premier League title to Manchester City. Although Arteta has turned the page and is looking forward to next season, he demanded the need to “strengthen” his team in order to remain in contention for the title.
After leading the title race the previous season, Arsenal suffered a late collapse before being overtaken by City. Arteta insisted that his team needs to improve in the transfer market to compete with Pep Guardiola’s next season.
The United Arab Emirates-based club is on the verge of completing two signings: it has agreed a fee of 60 million pounds, plus 5 million pounds in add-ons, to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea, and is also on the verge of signing Jurrien Timber from Ajax, for a fee of around 45 million euros.
Arsenal are also looking for Declan Rice, from West Ham United, but he has already turned down two offers from the Arteta team, the second worth 90 million pounds.
Despite this, Arsenal remain confident of securing the Englishman’s signature and are ready to make Rice the club’s record deal by returning with a third offer.
Arteta thinks the next campaign could be the “toughest”, given the insane level of competition in the Premier League.
“Next season will be the most difficult championship in the history of the Premier League,” said the Spaniard.
“Why? It was like that last year. I’ve been here [na Inglaterra] for 22 years and I’ve never seen a level of competition like this. So much quality, so much organization, so many resources, so many good technicians” added Arteta.
“That’s the level and, to win the Premier League, you have to be the best. That’s why you need to strengthen yourself” he said.
After suffering from injuries to key players such as William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal’s title challenge collapsed towards the end of the season.
Arteta also praised City as the “best team” in the world, while calling Guardiola the “best” coach in the world and, to surpass him, Arsenal will certainly have to go a long way.