Soccer
I love the players that we have – Mikel Arteta thrilled with Arsenal squad
Mikel Arteta has responded to Arsenal’s failure to sign an elite level forward during the transfer window by declaring he is happy with the squad he has.
The Premier League champions missed out on targets Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez over the summer, bringing in only Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli left the club to reduce their overall options in attack.
Arteta said: “I love the players that we have, that is for sure. It is what it is, this is what we have and we already have some very, very good players.
“Let’s trust them and let’s make sure we are right behind them, and I will do everything we can to help the incredible talent that we have.”
When asked if it was a missed opportunity to not recruit a new world-class forward, Arteta replied: “I don’t know. These are just opinions.
“The window is closed and I prefer to look at all the incredible things that we have in the squad and not spend any more time on things that are not a part of us right now. That’s it and that’s my main responsibility.”
Following May’s defeat by Paris St Germain in the Champions League final, Arteta declared that he wanted Arsenal to be “very ambitious, very fast and very smart” during the transfer window.
The Gunners boss is satisfied that those aspirations have been met with Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie and Ezri Konsa completing the new arrivals.
“One hundred per cent ticked,” he added. “The outcome after can be different to what you expect, but the intention was certainly there which is what I value most.”
Martinelli’s departure for Al Hilal in a £60million deal that was confirmed on Thursday ended the Brazilian’s six-year spell at Emirates Stadium that saw him make 191 Premier League appearances.
“He goes with our gratitude. It’s been a pleasure to work with him, to be part of this journey with him,” Arteta said.
“The guy that I met and the guy that just left, it’s a huge transformation both in the personal side and the professional side.
“The impact he had for the club, his ambition, his love for the game and the way he has helped us to grow and achieve our goals – he has been a critical player.
Arsenal host Chelsea on Sunday with the London rivals each opening the season with a pair of victories.
Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera picked up injuries in Monday’s 1-0 victory at Aston Villa and will be given Saturday’s training session to prove their fitness.
Jurrien Timber is close to making his comeback from a groin problem and Arteta revealed he could be involved for the first time since the Champions League final.
The Spaniard said: “We’ll decide tomorrow (Saturday) after training. He’s in really good condition at the moment.
“He’s now been training with us for a few weeks, so he’s in a good place.”
