Arsenal want to remain active in the transfer market following Bruno Guimaraes' arrival, with Mikel Arteta open to further additions that raise the level.
Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal are still looking to strengthen, even after wrapping up the signing of Bruno Guimaraes this week.
Guimaraes was unveiled to the Emirates crowd just before Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, fresh from completing his move from Newcastle United on a long-term deal.
His arrival gives Arteta another big option in midfield, but it’s clear Arsenal’s summer business isn’t over yet.
Asked in his post-match press conference whether supporters could expect further additions, Arteta replied:
“Well, that's what we're trying to do.
“If we have the right player in the market to to make us much better, we are very looking forward to that.”
Arteta’s focus on finding someone who can make Arsenal 'much better' stands out, especially considering the strength already in the squad. The Gunners are gearing up to defend their Premier League title, with Guimaraes now joining a midfield that already boasts the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
![Bruno Guimaraes walked out to a warm reception from fans before the match [Action Images via Reuters]](https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4d5fee76-6372-4404-90f0-8f93d77c9ce6.jpeg)
Bruno Guimaraes walked out to a warm reception from fans before the match [Action Images via Reuters]Even so, there are still areas where another signing could add some much-needed security.
Defensively, Arsenal have looked shaky in pre-season, conceding three goals in back-to-back games. After a 3-1 loss to Real Betis on Wednesday, they fell again to Dortmund, despite second-half goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Viktor Gyokeres. Dortmund’s three strikes were enough to claim the Emirates Cup.
Asked if those defensive issues have made him more eager to bring in another defender, Arteta wouldn’t single out any one position. Instead, he pointed to the team as a whole needing to take responsibility.
“We conceded some poor goals today in the way we competed especially, but that's um a very collective responsibility.
“So we need to improve with the players that we have and we want to improve for sure.”
Arsenal’s defensive depth is already being stretched, and the season hasn’t even kicked off yet.
William Saliba is still recovering from the back injury he picked up at the World Cup, with Arsenal confirming last month that he needs more time to rehabilitate. Jurrien Timber missed the Dortmund game as well and won’t be back straight away.
Bukayo Saka and David Raya have both returned ahead of schedule, according to Arteta. The manager expects the full squad to start their training programmes on Monday and is confident that most of the returning internationals will be ready when the real action starts.
Guimaraes will soon be fully integrated with the group, and Arteta is clearly excited about the personality and quality he brings to the squad.
“I'm delighted to have him,” Arteta said.
“Well, we will see very clearly, especially the energy that he brought immediately to the training ground, the hunger, the desire to come here and I create a big history at the club.
“And that's the ambition that we need. We want to go to the next level.”
Arteta also pointed out that Guimaraes can play in a couple of midfield roles, win the ball back, drive attacks forward and even chip in closer to goal.
Arsenal have one last pre-season test against Como at the Emirates on Wednesday, before the real business begins with the Community Shield against Manchester City in Cardiff on Sunday.
Sunday’s defeat showed there’s still plenty of work to do, with the Arsenal manager not interested in signing players just to make up the numbers. If Arsenal dip back into the market after Guimaraes, any new arrival will need to raise the bar for a squad that already knows how to win.
