Mikel Arteta demands more Arsenal signings as he gives cryptic update on Riccardo Calafiori transfer
MIKEL ARTETA demanded Arsenal chiefs make signings if he is to turn the club into Premier League champs.
The Gunners boss is desperate to end the club’s 21-year wait for the title — after falling two points short of Manchester City last term.
Asked if they need to buy new players, Arteta said: “We have to. Perfection in this league requires different standards.
“To relate that word perfection to winning the Premier League, then that’s what we have to do.
“We need to upgrade in everything we are doing. We have to improve in every area and that is what we are trying to do.”
Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, 22, still seems the closest big name to joining for £42million.
But so far keeper David Raya making his loan from Brentford permanent for a fee of £27m is the only major business by the club this summer.
Arteta previously said PSR constraints have held the club back in their battle to overthrow rivals City at the top of the Premier League.
The Spanish coach was speaking on the first day of the club’s pre-season tour of the US, where they will face Prem rivals Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.
As the squad jetted off to Los Angeles from Stansted, Arteta revealed: “I don’t know if anyone will join. It’s still a lot of time in the window but that’s more of a question for (sporting director) Edu and the board.
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“When you’re so close you want to grab it. We are very close.”
Asked if he could put a date on the Calafiori deal the Arsenal boss said: “No, unfortunately not — but we know there are certain positions we want to improve and give the squad better resources.
“We will try our best but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better.”