Mikel Arteta is well on with his summer rebuild of Arsenal as he looks to bounce back from the bitterly disappointing season last time out.
The eighth-placed finish means the Gunners will be without European football for the first time in 26 years, but things are looking up at present, with some young blood being pumped into the Emirates veins.
Portuguese full-back Nuno Tavares and Anderlecht sensation Albert Sambi Lokonga have already signed, while Ben White’s £50million switch seems imminent.
Lokonga, 21, signed on Monday for an initial fee of £15m, while Tavares agreed a £7m move from Benfica earlier this month.
However, Arteta is still set to make more improvements before the transfer window closes.
Mirror Football brings you Wednesday’s Arsenal transfer round-up.
Mikel Arteta and Edu are still hoping to bring in plenty of new signings this summer
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Arteta outlines signing criteria
Gunners boss Arteta has hinted that he could be in the market for some more experienced players with leadership qualities as he explained the sort of team he is trying to build.
The Spaniard hailed the importance of his more experienced players whilst stressing the importance of having a ‘good mixture’ in the squad.
And after snapping up young duo Tavares and Lokonga, Arteta insisted that a good team was all about balance.
“We need some senior players, players with different types of leadership in the team, with different qualities, people that complement each other.
“At the end of the day, it is about the cohesion of the team so we need a squad that is cohesive that can develop and adapt, that offers different qualities to change games, protect games when we need to and this is what we are trying to build,” Arteta told Arsenal Media.
Edu eyes 11 more targets
Arteta and technical director Edu have their eyes set on 11 potential targets across four key positions, according to Football.London.
Whilst they won’t be signing as many as that, the club have indicated that they are looking to secure up to three more additions before the end of the transfer window to improve the first team.
Arteta and Edu could be forced into the market for a right back if Hector Bellerin moves on, with Norwich City star Max Aarons and RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams on their radar.
A creative midfielder is Arsenal’s main priority though, with Houssem Aouar, James Maddison and Martin Odegaard all wanted as a marquee signing.
Arsenal are keen to bring Martin Odegaard back to the Emirates
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An experienced midfielder to play alongside Thomas Partey is another priority with Granit Xhaka seemingly on the verge of a move to Roma; Yves Bissouma and Ruben Neves have been linked in the past, while Manuel Locatelli is another name who has been put forward, fresh from starring for Italy in the Euros.
One final area warranting attention in this transfer window is the need for a backup goalkeeper after Runar Alex Runarsson’s disappointing first season.
Arsenal would prefer a homegrown player to fill that gap, with Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone have both been linked following their return from the Euros with England.
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Mills explains why White opted for Arsenal
Danny Mills has explained why he thinks Ben White snubbed a move to Manchester United or Chelsea in favour of Arsenal.
England defender White is set to become one of the Gunners most expensive signings in a £50m switch from Brighton.
And former Spurs midfielder Mills has given his verdict on why he reckons White went to Europe-less Arsenal over Champions League qualified Chelsea or United, who are both seeking a new centre-back this summer.
“Ultimately, as a player, you can only make a decision based on the opportunity in front of you,” he told talkSPORT.
“If I’m Ben White, I’m going to Arsenal, because they are the ones after me and it’s a step up, it’s a huge club.
Ben White is set to become the third most expensive signing in Arsenal history
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“Yes, it’s a risk in terms of will they progress from last season and can Mikel Arteta improve that squad? But he’s obviously sold him that and he feels wanted.
“It’s a massive opportunity because he will play every week, it’s a great environment to play your football and a better environment than Brighton.
“Is it a progression in his career? Yes it is. It’s easy to look at last season and think Arsenal won’t be competitive. But they could get into the top-four next season.
“You can only move to a club that wants you. I agree that his quality and potential is really good and I’m surprised that Manchester United or Chelsea haven’t come in for him.”
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