Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal aim to ‘build a winning team’ and indicated that long-term sustainability is at the heart of the club’s approach.
But the Spanish manager said the Gunners will ‘go to the market’ to find what they need to improve their team, and that ‘talent comes at a price.’
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Marca, the 41-year-old reflected on the previous season, Arsenal’s direction as a club, and their transfer policy among other things.
He said: ‘We have already regenerated the squad, with a very young average and to generate performance and value. We have some owners aligned with us: build a winning team that is sustained over time, without so much investment.
‘But the demand is increasing and you have to go to the market to find what we do not have to continue improving.’
Mikel Arteta sat down for an interview with Marca and spoke about Arsenal’s intentions
The Spaniard, pictured in the foreground, is leading a long-term rebuild at the Emirates
Kai Havertz is another big-money signing to link up with the team and Arsenal paid £65m
Despite Arsenal being third in the Premier League’s net spend table over the past five seasons, ahead of Manchester City, he defended the club’s transfer strategy.
The Gunners were one of 20 clubs across Europe identified by UEFA in as at risk of having breached financial fair play regulations in 2021/22.
In 2020, they were the highest net spenders in Europe.
Arteta said: ‘It depends on what you evaluate: net value or investment in one year, three years or 10 years? Or that you also value salaries.
‘The investment point is one and the revaluation is perhaps more important: how much a player you buy is worth in ‘so many’ years. There is investment with return and revaluation. That is our strategy to sustain ourselves.’
Recently, Arteta’s side splashed the cash on another high-profile signing in the form of Kai Havertz, brought in from Chelsea for £65million. Such a price tag for a player of mixed performances during his premier League stint has raised eyebrows.
‘Talent has a price and, at Arsenal, we are always interested in young players with experience,’ Arteta said.
‘Again, I’m not talking about players from other clubs, but, in the case of Kai, he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League. He is a talented, versatile player and he is only 24 years old.’
However, he was coy when asked about Declan Rice. Arsenal’s most recent offer worth around £90m for the West Ham talisman was rejected, but the north London outfit are gearing up to bid again now that Manchester City have entered the race for the England international.
Arteta enjoys working with Gabriel Jesus because he ‘won me over from the human side’
Asked about Rice, Arteta simply stated that he preferred not to say anything on the matter.
He did, however, provide a defensive assessment of why Arsenal’s title challenge fell off. ‘A lot of things [were missing to get over the line]. We were penalised for those three draws we had in a row [Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton], and all the misfortunes that happened [two comebacks from two up].
‘There were three or four injuries to important players and from then on, everything got complicated. When we had the full team, we were consistent. As soon as problems came, it wasn’t enough for us.
‘And then our opponent was the best team in the world; the best squad in the world; the best coach in the world… We had to accept that and shake hands with the champions.’
A key part in the club’s revival under Arteta has been the presence of title-winning former Manchester City players Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus. The two were pivotal for the Gunners in 2022-23, though injuries hampered Jesus’ season.
Asked why he liked players from Pep Guardiola’s side, he gave the obvious answer. ‘Easy: because they are very good, I know them, and I coached them for four years. Both Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko won me over from the human side, as well as the mentality and talent they have.’
He said the same about Oleksandr Zinchenko, who he also signed from Man City last summer
His decision to fly out from beneath Guardiola’s wing in 2019 was a gamble. At Manchester City, the two had a great working relationship and Arteta often credits the five-time Premier League winner for his progress as a coach.
But this season gave a hint that perhaps, finally, that bold move had paid off. And though it didn’t end with a title, his reputation has been enhanced and the club came as close as they have to Premier League glory since 2015/16.
It was a club, he felt, that had ‘lost its soul’ over the years and one he had to rebuild.
Does he think they can go one better? Absolutely. ‘If not, I wouldn’t be sitting here,’ he says. That is our ambition.’ We know the difficulty: it is the best league in the world and next season it will be the most difficult league in the history of the Premier League.
‘Why? Last year it already was. I’ve been here for 22 years and I’ve never seen a competitive level like that. So much quality, so much organisation, so many resources, so good coaches… and now come Pochettino and Iraola.
‘The level is that and to win the Premier League you must be the best. That is why it must be strengthened.’
