Mikel Arteta: 'It's about time Arsenal spent big in transfer market'

Arsenal vice-captain Mikel Arteta has welcomed reports of the club's willingness to do big business in this summer's transfer market, insisting that a show of aggression is long overdue.

The Gunners have been linked with club-record bids for a string of players, including Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain and Marouane Fellaini of Everton.

"The club have said they are going to be very ambitious in the market and have got the financial resources to get big players," Arteta told reporters. "I think it's about time. When you compare us to the other top English clubs and the money they have paid, we are very far apart.

"The value of this club is the class and what it means is very difficult to match. There has never been a tradition at Arsenal to pay crazy, crazy money. But now, financially, they are very strong so maybe we will be more aggressive in the transfer market.

"I am excited. They made it public that they are going to go big. The sort of players they have been linked with makes me happy. It creates a good atmosphere and we need to do something because the other teams are doing it and I think we will."

Arsene Wenger's side arrived in Vietnam yesterday ahead of a match against the country's national team on Wednesday.