The two signings Mikel Arteta will target after extending Arsenal contract
Mikel Arteta already knows which two players he wants to buy next after signing a new three-year contract with Arsenal.
The Gunners boss has committed his future to the Emirates in a deal worth £30million after coming agonisingly close to winning the last two Premier League titles.
‘Together with the players and everyone at the club, we are looking forward to the coming years, with our supporters, who have emotionally transformed the club and the team,’ Arteta said.
‘Our supporters have transformed individuals and we are different now. You can tell that we are different and for me, that is down to them. We look forward to continuing the journey together.’
Arteta delved into the transfer market again this summer in a bid to finally overtake Manchester City, spending £92million on five signings including Raheem Sterling, though some were left disappointed that he didn’t land a new centre-forward.
Though Kai Havertz has stepped up admirably, injury and form issues with Gabriel Jesus and the sale of Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace has seemingly left the Gunners a little short of firepower.
And it seems Arteta agrees, with The Times reporting that the manager wants to’bring in a unique attacking player in the next two windows’.
As for who that could be, Arsenal may re-explore a move for centre-forward Benjamin Sesko who opted to sign a new deal with RB Leipzig over the summer amid much transfer interest.
Arteta also looked at Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams and Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala, both of whom stood out at Euro 2024.
Additionally, the Spaniard wants to continue to upgrade his squad in all areas and is also very keen on a ‘young defensive midfielder’.
Arsenal signed 28-year-old Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for £27m in August but their other options in that position Thomas Partey, 31, and Jorginho, 32, are both out of contract at the end of the season.
Declan Rice, 25, is also an option but Arteta tends to play him in a more advanced role.
In the meantime, the Gunners have to navigate a tricky run of fixtures over the next month including Sunday’s North London Derby at Tottenham and a clash against title rivals City.
