Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal are ‘short’ and can improve ‘every area’ of their squad this summer – so where do the Gunners need to strengthen in and who could they buy?

Over the past two seasons, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have given Pep Guardiola many sleepless nights.

While the Manchester City boss may have led his side to a record four consecutive Premier League titles, it hasn’t been without drama, with the Gunners pushing them to the limit.

However, on both occasions, costly defeats down the stretch have let Arsenal down and they have ultimately failed to live up to expectations.

But, after a gruelling summer of international football and no team having won five titles in a row in English football, could this be the year the Gunners finally get it done?

However, in Arteta’s first media engagements this season on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States, he appeared to pour cold water on those expectations.

“We have to[improve],” he said. “Perfection in this league requires different standards to link that word to winning the Premier League, and that’s what we have to do.”

“We need to improve in everything we do. We have to improve in all areas and that’s what we’re trying to do.

“We know there are certain positions we want to improve and give the team better resources in terms of numbers where we are short, but we will do our best.”

In light of Arteta’s comments, Mail Sport looks at where the Gunners need to improve if they are to finally overtake City for the title and win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

Left side

Bologna’s versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori could be a difference-maker, with the Italian’s £33.6m move from Bologna expected to go through this week.

The 22-year-old was one of Italy’s standout performers at Euro 2024 in a disappointing tournament for the Azzurri and while he primarily played as a centre-back, Calafiori also featured at left-back.

In fact, throughout his career he has played 49 games on the left wing, compared to 43 in central defence, although last season he tended to play in the centre of Bologna’s back four.

With Gabriel and William Saliba having formed a formidable partnership for Arsenal, who have conceded just 29 league goals in 2023-24, Calafiori could line up at left-back in a similar role to Ben White on the right.

Like the Englishman, as a natural centre-back, Calafiori would bring significant solidity to the Gunners.

It would also help address what has been a slightly problematic position for Arteta in recent seasons.

Both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have failed to impress, while Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are more comfortable on the right.

Defensive midfield

A key decision Arteta will have to make ahead of the new campaign will be what he plans to do with Declan Rice.

The Englishman was a little below his level at Euro 2024, but he is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, with his defensive skills and ability to break up play being some of his standout qualities.

However, in the latter stages of last season, Rice played slightly further forward, while Thomas Partey occupied the defensive midfield.

The impact was huge, with Rice scoring once and adding three assists in the last five games, with the former West Ham star able to roam up and down the inside left channel.

With Partey and Jorginho unreliable due to their injury history, contract situation and age, Arteta could move Rice back into his protective role.

But given the impact he has had on the team when given more freedom, the addition of a top-class defensive midfielder could be transformative for Arsenal.

Martin Zubimendi, who made a huge difference in the Euro 2024 final after replacing Rodri at half-time, has been a long-term target for the Gunners, while Spain team-mate and former Newcastle flop Mikel Merino has also been linked with a move to the Emirates.

Bruno Guimaraes has previously been scouted by Arsenal and the addition of a top-class defensive midfielder could be the difference between turning the Gunners from near-men into champions.

On the right

Euro 2024 was a strange campaign for England as, despite several disappointing performances, Gareth Southgate’s side came very close to glory.

There weren’t many Three Lions stars who left Germany with much credit, but one who certainly did was Bukayo Saka.

The Arsenal man has proven to be a talisman for club and country in recent years, and last season was no different as he racked up 16 goals and nine assists in 35 Premier League games.

However, while Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard complement each other on the left, the burden falls firmly on Saka on the right, with backup right-winger Reiss Nelson making just one top-flight start in 2023-24.

That burden took its toll on Saka towards the end of the campaign as he continually battled discomfort and even missed the decisive final-day clash against Everton through injury.

While Saka’s position as the Gunners’ talisman is never in doubt, the potential to improve their depth on the right would be significant in ensuring his fitness can be managed, while also providing another tempting attacking option for Arteta.

There has been talk of a possible Nico Williams transfer to the Emirates and he could fill that role, with the Athletic Bilbao star reportedly having a £49m release clause.

Williams’ quality was made clear to all at Euro 2024, where he lined up on the left wing, but the 22-year-old has tended to play most of his career on the right and would add significant depth to Arteta’s squad.

Meanwhile, Turkish star Baris Alper Yilmaz and Wolves’ Pedro Neto have also been linked with the Gunners in recent times.

Striker

It’s easy to lose count of the number of pundits, former players and supporters who have claimed Arsenal won’t win the league until they sign a new striker and perhaps that position is the most pertinent of the improvements Arteta needs.

While Kai Havertz proved extremely effective during the second half of last season in attack, the German is not a natural centre-forward and that lack of a clinical No. 9 cost Arsenal dearly in big games.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has struggled for form and fitness of late, while Eddie Nketiah is clearly not Arteta’s favourite.

It is one of the few positions where Arsenal lack a top-quality option and, although he has scored 91 goals in 38 games, this is another area that could revolutionise Arteta’s side.

The tricky part is finding the right option to come in, with a host of strikers linked in recent times including Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen, Dominic Solanke, Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres.

However, the likelihood of signing any of those options is hugely unrealistic given the finances that would be involved, particularly for Isak and Osimhen.

Toney or Gyokeres are seen as the most likely targets, with the Brentford star having just one year left on his contract and expected to leave this summer.

The Englishman showed his talent at Euro 2024 and his goalscoring record, penalty-taking prowess and ability to act as a focal point could make him a key addition for the Gunners.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, has become a prolific goalscorer and on many occasions it has seemed as though Arsenal are lacking that box-to-box striker who can act as a hunter.

Whatever happens, Arteta’s side are well positioned for another title challenge and with some strong additions, it would be hard to bet against them eventually taking that extra step.