Mikel Arteta had the perfect response to Arsenal transfer question as Eberechi Eze hope grows

Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia is underway and with it comes the opportunity to see the new players in action and perhaps for many what is most important is to have questions put to manager Mikel Arteta. These press conferences, both pre and post-match provide the best insights into how the transfer window processes are unfolding and the views on them from the manager himself.

Speaking in his first press conference of the trip, it was unsurprising; therefore, he was asked about the potential for more business on top of what has already been done. Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard have all already been signed.

Talks are at an advanced stage to sign both Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres. Arteta certainly feels there is more to come and maintains that for now, the team remains short.

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“There’s still a long time in the window and we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad,” he replied. “We are constantly looking in the market.

“Until that happens, focus on the players we have and focus on them and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.”

Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu have all left the club while both loan deals for Raheem Sterling and Neto expired with no follow up. Six out the door from those who did feature in parts last season, four so far in, it does add up still to a negative turnover although certainly a rise in quality.

There have been some criticisms that the business had taken too long, specifically in the case of the ongoing striker chase. Arteta was honest in his hope that they would have been in on day one but that more is expected.

“Ideally you want it from day one in pre-season,” he said. “I think we have done very well so far, I'm very pleased with how the club has supported the necessities and improvements that we required in the team.

“I think Andrea and the team has done an excellent job as well trying to push everything forward. There's a long time to go in the window but we have still our hopes we can improve the team and we will continue to try and do that.”

football.london understands Arsenal would like to bring in a third attacking player in addition to Madueke and the potential arrival of Gyokeres. Eberechi Eze is understood to be the priority target with both Xavi Simons and Rodrygo other names to have been considered.

Arteta’s commitment that the club will still try to improve the team will give hope that the third attacking addition can come in. Whether that is Eze, for example, remains to be seen.