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Mikel Arteta has issued a clear message to Arsenal’s leadership, urging them to “do what they have to do” in the summer transfer window as the Gunners prepare to challenge for major honours next season.
The Spanish manager’s comments came after Arsenal secured Champions League qualification with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. While the result guarantees another season of elite European football, it also marks five years since the club last won a major trophy – a drought Arteta is determined to end.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta outlined his expectations for the upcoming window: “Finish the season, go to the beach, enjoy a few days and make sure the ones upstairs they do what they have to do.”
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The club is already preparing significant moves, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi reportedly a £51 million target to bolster midfield options. A backup goalkeeper is also on the shopping list as Arsenal look to address squad depth issues.
Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke (Image credit: Getty Images)When questioned about board support, Arteta expressed confidence but emphasized the need for strategic decisions: “They always backed the team, the club in the best possible way. They’re not going to be different in the summer. We have to be very smart with the decisions that we take.”
The manager highlighted the urgency of recruitment, noting: “We need players because the squad is really short and on top of that we are losing four or five players that are going to end their contracts and their loans are finished.”
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Arteta revealed detailed planning is already underway: “The plan is done, and the time will be dictated by many parties, many circumstances that unfortunately we don’t control. But we have great people in charge of that.”
The 42-year-old also stressed the importance of maintaining squad harmony: “Make sure that the ones that we have, they feel valued, they feel loved, and we make sure that they want to continue with us in the right manner.”
With preseason preparations looming, Arteta vowed to create the right environment from day one, insisting: “I want to feel that from day one, and I’m going to be very insistent on that.”
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