Mikel Arteta: Arsenal Boss Sends Ruthless Message As He Eyes Over £200M Window

• Mikel Arteta holds the record for the highest single-window transfer budget in Arsenal’s history with £160m
• He is set to break that this summer as he eyes over £200m worth of talents to bolster his squad
• Declan Rice and Kai Havertz are top of the transfer list and will gulp the majority of the budget

Mikel Arteta is approaching this transfer window with a ruthless mind as he is set to spend over £200m to bolster the squad of last season’s Premier League runners-up.

Arsenal capitulated close to the end of last season and ceded an eight-point advantage to Manchester City for the Citizens to retain their title en route to completing the historic treble.

Arteta spent £160m on five players in the summer of 2021, three of whom have become an essential members of the squad that has set the team on track for stability and success.

Martin Odegaard has ascended to the role of captain since making his loan move permanent in 2021, while Aaron Ramsdale has become the first-choice goalkeeper.

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Arteta sends ruthless message

According to 90min, Arteta accepted responsibility for the team’s collapse last season due to a lack of rotation due to squad depth. He is now set to face the market with a brutal mindset.

“Talent has a price,” he told Marca. “At Arsenal, we are always interested in young players with experience.

“I’m not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai [Havertz], he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League [triumph].”

Arsenal have reportedly secured the signing of Havertz from Chelsea, which suggests why he was able to mention him by name, but he was diplomatic about Declan Rice.

“Sorry, but I can’t speak about players who are not at the club. I prefer not to comment,” he added.

5 players Arteta signed in 2021

Sports Brief previously analysed how the five players Arteta signed in 2021 for a combined transfer fee of £160m fared at the club.

Three have been good signings, while two have not quite hit the ground running - Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga are on loans at Olympique Marseille and Crystal Palace, respectively.