Mikel Arteta insists he's 'happy with what he has' at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta insists he’s ‘happy with what he has’ after spending more than £200m this summer… but the Arsenal boss reveals he may go BACK into the market before the window closes

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Mikel Arteta has insisted that he is happy with his squad after a productive summer in the transfer window.

The club mounted a serious challenge to Man City’s title aspirations last season, topping the league for 247 days before ultimately being outlasted by Pep Guardiola’s side.

Fresh off a positive campaign, Arteta has committed to strengthening his squad, breaking the club’s transfer record to bring West Ham captain Declan Rice to the Emirates whilst also adding Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Ajax star Jurrien Timber.

Ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Arteta revealed that the main aim of his recruitment at the club is to ensure that every position has viable competition.

‘Well, that’s what we’ve been trying to do increase the depth of the squad and the quality of the squad as well and the ability to be more flexible,’ Arteta told reporters in a press conference prior to Saturday’s game.

Mikel Arteta has insisted that he is pleased with his side’s transfer business this summer

Declan Rice and Kai Havertz signed for the Gunners this summer, from West Ham and Chelsea respectively

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‘The ability to have more quality and more interaction with players that can make us better, that’s the whole point of it.’

Asked whether he believes his side conducting much of their transfer business early in the window will prove to be a benefit the 41-year-old responded in the affirmative.

‘We’ve done it and we had the intention to do it. Sometimes it’s possible sometimes it’s not. 

‘We tried our best and we just have to focus on what we can do and the reason why we’ve done it and try and maximise the resources that we have.

I think it definitely helps, especially for the player in the environment getting settled. 

‘Obviously for coaches it’s important and I think for media and for commercial as well, especially when you go on tour to be set and have all the players that you’re going to have during the season I think is something very positive for us.’

However, despite having already spent big on a number of arrivals this summer, the Gunners boss added that unforeseen circumstances may yet force the club back into the market. 

‘At the moment we are not planning to do anything but the window is very unpredictable. 

‘Things [can] happen that probably we don’t wish for but at the moment we are happy with what we’ve got.’

The Gunners boss also offered an update on the fitness of Gabriel Jesus ahead of the coming campaign

Last summer’s marquee signing Gabriel Jesus will not be part of the side that will face Forest at the Emirates, after undergoing a procedure on his knee last Wednesday.

Arteta added that while the former Man City star is doing ‘really well’ with his recovery, the club will remain cautious to ensure that they do not rush Jesus back into action.

‘It’s a bit early still it’s only less than two weeks since his operation. He’s doing really well to be fair. 

‘Next week hopefully he’s going to start some activity but it’s something that we’re going to be cautious about and make sure that he comes back in the right way.’

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