Mikel Arteta offers exciting Arsenal transfer update | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has assured fans the club are preparing for a "big" summer transfer window.

The Gunners appear destined to miss out on the Premier League title this season, 12 points behind Liverpool with nine games to play, but are expected to invest heavily in the playing squad in an attempt to finally take Arteta's squad to the next level.

Among the summer goals for Arsenal is a new striker. Recent reports talked up interest in Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres but the Gunners are also known admirers of Newcastle United's Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is thought to headline a shortlist of potential recruitments at the heart of the pitch.

"It's going to be a big [summer] and we are very excited about it," Arteta told a press conference. "When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.

"Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary.

"But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team."

A lack of attacking depth has been exposed this season after injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus and so, alongside a new striker, Arsenal are also keen to sign a new wide forward as Raheem Sterling prepares to return to Chelsea following his loan at the Emirates. Athletic Club winger Nico Williams is a long-term target.

Another loanee, goalkeeper Neto, could be replaced by Espanyol's Joan Garcia, for whom a failed move was made last summer.