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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reaffirmed the club’s determination to strengthen its squad before the start of the new Premier League season, as speculation continues to link the Gunners with a move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.
The Brazil international has emerged as one of the biggest names connected with Arsenal during the summer transfer window, with reports suggesting the Premier League champions are closely monitoring his contractual situation at the Santiago Bernabéu as they explore options to reinforce their attack.
Although Arteta declined to address the transfer speculation surrounding Vinicius directly, the Spaniard made it clear that Arsenal remain active in the market and are prepared to make further additions as they seek to build on last season’s Premier League triumph.
The Arsenal boss spoke after his side’s convincing 4-1 victory over Girona in a pre-season friendly, insisting that strengthening the squad remains a key priority.
“Well we are really active, trying to improve and evolve the team. That’s clear,” Arteta said.
He revealed that Arsenal expect further activity in the transfer market in the coming weeks, stressing that the club cannot afford to remain static while rivals continue to reinforce their own squads.
“We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously, because we want to get better like anybody else.”
Arteta emphasised that the increasingly competitive nature of elite football requires constant improvement, adding that Arsenal must continue to raise internal competition to maintain their position at the top.
“And you can just see it. The transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing – we won’t sit still. And we are very ambitious in what we want to do.”
The Arsenal manager noted that the difference between success and failure at the highest level has become increasingly narrow, making squad depth and quality essential.
“The margins are very small. And because we want to get better and the level is going to increase, we need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team, to have bigger margins. And that’s the way we have to think.”
Arteta’s comments are expected to intensify speculation over Arsenal’s transfer strategy as the club continues to assess opportunities to strengthen ahead of the new campaign. While Vinicius remains under contract at Real Madrid, the Brazilian is regarded as one of several elite attacking players reportedly under consideration should circumstances create an opportunity for a deal.
Arsenal have already been linked with a number of high-profile targets this summer, with the club keen to assemble a squad capable of defending the Premier League title and mounting a stronger challenge in the UEFA Champions League next season.
