Mikel Arteta insists he needs to upgrade his Arsenal squad if it is to be third time lucky for the Gunners.

The Spaniard has gone close in the Premier League for the past two seasons, losing out to Manchester City on both occasions as the club’s wait for a top flight success extends beyond two decades. Arteta has been allowed to invest heavily, landing Declan Rice for a club-record fee 12 months ago.

The Arsenal boss wants the Emirates hierarchy to again pour more money into the playing group in an effort to end City’s dominance of the Premier League. Arteta confessed the club need to improve across the board, suggesting that more depth is required.

When quizzed on the need to upgrade his playing staff, Arteta said: “We have to. Perfection in this league requires different standards. To relate that word perfection to winning the Premier League then that’s what we have to do .We need to upgrade in everything we are doing. We have to improve in every area and that is what we are trying to do.”

Riccardo Calafiori transfer: Leonardo Bonucci can’t hide his unhappiness at Arsenal move

Arsenal told price to seal Mikel Merino transfer as Edu handed boost over Barcelona target
Arteta has been able to overhaul the squad in north London – adding leading lights like Ben White, Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. Arsenal have posted huge points totals in recent seasons with their manager adamant they are close to finally achieving their goals – but isn’t sure if he’ll welcome new faces to aid those ambitions.

He added: “I don’t know [if anyone will join us]. It’s still a lot of time to go in the window but that’s more of a question for Edu and the board I think. When you are so close you want to grab it. We are very close.”

Arsenal have been linked with defensive recruits and a new face in the final third. The lack of a prolific frontman has been cited as an issue, hence them being linked with the likes of Alexander Isak and Ivan Toney. They’re also thought to be among those pursuing Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.

Riccardo Calafiori is among those being pursued by the Gunners ( 
Image:
Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, who played for Italy at the Euros, is among those they want to bolster their defensive line but the deal continues to be held up. Negotiations are rumbling on and Arteta could give no timeline for Calafiori’s potential arrival.

“No, unfortunately not but obviously we know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources in terms of numbers where we are short,” he said. “We will try our best but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better.”

Arsenal are currently in the midst of their pre-season tour of America, where they will play Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool. Their season begins with a clash against Wolves at the Emirates.