Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal’s flying start has altered their plans for the January transfer window, with the manager suggesting the table toppers must now target signings of an even higher calibre.
‘With the position we are in right now… it demands another level of player,’ Arteta said on Wednesday.
Arteta, whose side sit two points clear of Manchester City, wants to add to his squad in January with a winger believed to the club’s No 1 priority. Orlando City’s Facundo Torres and Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk are two possible targets.
Arsenal are also working to secure new deals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Zurich, Arteta revealed talks are in ‘a good place’.
The winter World Cup was always going to complicate contract negotiations, and preparation for the January window.
But Arsenal’s brilliant start has now also caused a slight rethink.
‘The planning of that period is extremely difficult. First of all because we know the January window, how special it is, the opportunities that you have, the short window that you have. Once you get the player they are straight away competing, so there is not an adaption process,’ Arteta said.
‘And obviously with the position that we are in right now as well, it demands as well another level of player – and that player has to be available. We will look at everything and let’s see what we can do.’
Arsenal have already secured defender Gabriel to a new, long-term deal, with Saliba, Martinelli and Saka now in talks over improved terms.
All three players are 21 and the club do have an option to extend their current contracts. Both Saka’s and Saliba’s deals run to 2023 with a 12-month option, while Martinelli’s expires in 2024 (with a two-year option).
Arteta is relaxed even if negotiations continue beyond the World Cup.
‘The contract has to be signed when all parties are happy, are committed and are determined to do that,’ he said. ‘And the timing sometimes is determined by moments, by feelings, by individual circumstances and you have to put all that together and make it happen. But I think we are in a good place.’