Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has submitted that the club must bring in top-level attacking reinforcements this summer to compete for major honours next season.
Speaking ahead of the Gunners’ final Premier League fixture against already-relegated Southampton, Arteta highlighted a lack of “firepower” as a key reason behind the club’s failure to secure silverware for a fifth consecutive campaign.
Arsenal, currently second in the league behind champions Liverpool, were also knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.
“If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market. The teams that win always have the best players,” Arteta told reporters on Thursday. “We must add goals, creativity, and depth across different positions.”
The Gunners’ attacking options were stretched this season due to injuries to key forwards including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
The absence of a consistent goal scorer has led to growing calls for a high-profile striker signing in the transfer window.
Brazilian forward Rodrygo of Real Madrid is the latest name linked with a move to the Emirates, alongside previous targets Alexander Isak of Newcastle United and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon.
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Arteta did not confirm any specific targets but acknowledged the club’s growing stature.
“There is pride because we have brought the club into a position where next season people are saying: ‘You have to win a major trophy.’ That means everyone believes we are an elite team in this country and in Europe,” he said.
The Spaniard also expressed his desire for midfielder Thomas Partey to remain at the club.
The Ghana international’s contract expires next month, amid reported interest from former club Atletico Madrid.
“In terms of consistency, this has been Thomas’s best season. His performances and availability have been exceptional,” Arteta noted.
Meanwhile, Arteta congratulated Tottenham Hotspur for winning the UEFA Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought with a 1–0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday.
“They are champions. They’ve had a season full of obstacles, but they got many things right to achieve this,” Arteta said.
With Champions League qualification secured, Arsenal now turn their focus to strengthening their squad as they aim to convert near-misses into trophies next season.