Arsenal have taken the unusual step of confirming on their official website that they expect to make more signings before the transfer window closes, offering hope to fans frustrated by a slow start to the summer.
Frustrating start to the window
Despite being Premier League champions, Arsenal have only secured two new players so far: Greece international winger Christos Tzolis, effectively a replacement for Leandro Trossard, and backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The club missed out on Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea, and has struggled to finalize a deal for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Julian Alvarez remains at Atletico Madrid after preferring a move to Barcelona, while Arsenal privately concede they have only a limited chance of persuading Vinicius Junior to swap Real Madrid for north London, according to sources close to the club.
Official statement promises more signings
In an article previewing Saturday's friendly against Girona, Arsenal wrote: 'Two new signings have also joined the group this pre-season – goalkeeper Illan Meslier and forward Christos Tzolis – with more expected to sign before the end of the transfer window.'
Manager Mikel Arteta added in an interview with Arsenal.com: 'A lot is happening. We all know about the context of this transfer window. From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individuals. We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.'
Arteta: 'Excellence has to be our standard'
Asked if the current squad is ready to defend their title, Arteta said: 'One hundred per cent. This has to be the start and this has to be the standard. Excellence has to be our standard and this has to drive to attack the future. The way we behave daily with more and more determination and ambition because we've shown that we've got it. Now we have to show that we belong to this level and we want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.'
