Mikel Arteta reckons there are up to eight clubs ready to challenge for the Premier League title next season, feeling the division is getting ever more competitive.
The Gunners have finished second in each of the last three seasons and are desperate to make that final step to title winners in the coming campaign.
The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard have been brought in to help them do that, while more arrivals are expected in the coming weeks.
Their rivals have also strengthened, though, with champions Liverpool not resting on their laurels by signing the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, with Hugo Ekitike about to follow.
That has not dissuaded Arteta of Arsenal’s ability to win the title next season, but he admits it will be very difficult.
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‘Yes I do,’ Arteta said when asked if he thinks the Gunners can become Premier League champions. ‘It is getting more and more competitive each year. The level is increasing.
‘We know that so our demands have to increase as well. But we have also been very active in the market.
‘We have to improve the players we already have, which is a massive objective after that. And then, set the right fundamentals and the right principles in pre-season to get the team ready with the best possible shape and availability to start the season.’
The Spaniard did not name which clubs he is thinking about when weighing up the title challengers, but does believe there could be up to eight of them battling with Arsenal to lift the trophy.
‘Every year we have to see how things develop, but I see the right balance in terms of maturity, experience, youth, hunger – all these ingredients are there,’ he said.
‘The thing is there are another six, seven, eight clubs in the league that have the right ingredients to win and there is only going to be one winner.
‘So we have to focus a lot on the things that we can control, that we can do, to achieve what we want at the end of the season.’
Arteta was speaking on Arsenal’s pre-season trip to Asia, taking on Newcastle and AC Milan in Singapore.
Premier League title odds
Liverpool 2/1
Arsenal 9/4
Man City 3/1
Chelsea 8/1
Newcastle 28/1
Man Utd 40/1
Tottenham 50/1
Aston Villa 66/1
Brighton 125/1
Nottm Forest 175/1
West Ham 300/1
Bournemouth 300/1
Everton 300/1
Fulham 500/1
Leeds 500/1
Crystal Palace 500/1
Wolves 500/1
Brentford 500/1
Burnley 1000/1
Sunderland 1000/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
He is hoping that deals will be done while he gets back to work on the training pitch and in the dugout, admitting that his squad is short in certain areas.
‘There’s still a long time in the window and we are seeking still,’ he said.
‘In terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad. We are constantly looking in the market.
‘Until that happens, [we] focus on the players we have – and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.’
Fans were convinced that he dropped something of a hint that the long-awaited deal for Viktor Gyokeres is going to be done soon.
Asked how close Arsenal are to signing Gyokeres, Arteta told reporters: ‘You know I cannot comment on any player that is not part of our group yet.’
The final word is what really got supporters excited.
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