Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal’s hierarchy are ‘doing their maximum’ to improve the squad after missing out on a deal to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners were dealt a blow this weekend as Aouar, one of their priority targets for the window, decided to stay at Lyon.
Arsenal had multiple bids for Aouar turned down by Lyon as the French club sttod firm over their €60m (£55.5m) asking price. Arsenal’s other primary midfield target, Thomas Partey, also looks set to stay at Atletico Madrid with the Spanish club demanding that the midfielder’s €50 million (£45.3m) release clause is met.
Chelsea’s Jorginho is also on Arsenal’s shortlist as Arteta is keen to strengthen his midfielder before the transfer deadline. When asked if he believes Arsenal will complete any more signings before the window closes, Arteta said after his side’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Sunday: ‘Well, I don’t know. ‘What I can guarantee is that we are doing our maximum for that to happen. Whether we’re going to achieve it or not, I don’t know.’
Asked if he is keen to sign a new midfielder, Arteta said: ‘I cannot discuss the players that we want but we recognise some positions that we believe we are short, first of all in numbers and then different qualities to complement each other, this is what we’re trying to do.’ When asked if Arsenal are prepared if they fail to add to their squad before the end of the window, Arteta replied: ‘I think that even when I’m here trying to be honest, I’m clear.
