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Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal’s intention to make key moves in the summer transfer window as the club looks to end its long wait for silverware next season. The Gunners finished as Premier League runners-up for a third successive campaign, underlining the need for marginal gains to finally get over the line.
Arteta watched Arsenal’s final game of the season — a 2-1 win over Southampton — from the stands due to suspension. Seated alongside club director Josh Kroenke, son of majority owner Stan Kroenke, the Spaniard observed as goals from Kieran Tierney and Martin Ødegaard sealed the victory at St Mary’s.
Despite another strong season, Arteta acknowledged that the team still lacks a clinical edge in front of goal — an issue that could be addressed in the coming months. Arsenal ended the season without a single player reaching double figures in the league for the first time in over a century. With 14 draws recorded across the campaign — second only to Everton — the absence of a consistent goalscorer has proven costly.
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However, the Arsenal manager believes only minor adjustments are needed to transform his team into title winners.
“Josh [Kroenke] has been very clear in the direction and ambition we have,” Arteta said after the Southampton game. “We’re going to try and see what we can do, make very subtle decisions, and respect what has taken us this far.
“There’s not much improvement [needed]. We’ve finished second three times, reached the Champions League semi-finals. There’s that little percentage we need to nail.”
Earlier this month, Kroenke reaffirmed the club’s long-term ambitions in a message to supporters. “We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season,” he wrote. “We’re delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea, who will play an important role in this. He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way.”
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Arteta also took time to praise Kieran Tierney, who played and scored in what is expected to be his final appearance for the club. The Scotland international is set to return to Celtic when his contract expires this summer.
“We wanted to finish with that positivity, that good atmosphere and vibe,” Arteta said. “We had to say goodbye to a few players and I think they deserved that to happen in a nice environment.
“[Tierney] said yesterday, ‘I’m going to score in my last Arsenal match’ — and he’s done it. Very happy with him. He’s been a big part of the journey.”
With a clear sense of direction from both Arteta and the club’s leadership, Arsenal now turn their attention to the transfer market in the hope that a few strategic signings will finally turn near-misses into silverware next season.
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