Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta: 'We will try to make more signings'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 August 2022

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms that his side still want to make some more signings before the summer transfer window closes for business.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that his side will still try to welcome new faces to the club in the final few weeks of the transfer window.

The Gunners manager has reunited with former Manchester City players Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus this summer, as well as bringing in Matt Turner, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira.

Jesus and Zinchenko both made their competitive debuts in Friday's 2-0 Premier League success over Crystal Palace, with the former earning plenty of plaudits for his energetic display.

Zinchenko also provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli's opener on a well-worked set-piece routine, while William Saliba produced a man-of-the-match performance on his Premier League debut.

Vieira was absent from the contest due to an ankle injury, though, while Turner has arrived to provide backup to Aaron Ramsdale and Marquinhos will likely continue his development with the Under-23s.

Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal on August 5, 2022 © Reuters

Arsenal are still being tipped to sign a new central midfielder before the transfer window closes, and Arteta has affirmed that the chequebook remains open.

"We are going to try. There are a few things we have planned & we are going to try," Arteta told Sky Sports News after Friday's opening Premier League triumph.

The Gunners were strongly linked with a move for Leicester City's Youri Tielemans before cooling their interest in the past few weeks, but the door is not thought to be fully closed on a late move for the Belgian.

Leicester are allegedly plotting a move for ex-Arsenal target Houssem Aouar of Lyon, which could open the door for Tielemans to leave the club for the right price in the coming weeks.

The 25-year-old only has one year left to run on his contract at the King Power Stadium, which could pressure Brendan Rodgers's side into a sale before he walks away on a free transfer next summer.

Belgium's Youri Tielemans applauds fans after the match on March 26, 2022 © Reuters

The Gunners are also expected to be busy in terms of outgoings, having already allowed Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi, Bernd Leno and Dinos Mavropanos to leave on permanent deals this summer.

Lucas Torreira will seemingly be the next name to head for the exit door after finally agreeing to a move to Galatasaray, which would pocket Arsenal just £5.9m after his £25.8m arrival in 2018.

Hector Bellerin is also pining for a return to Real Betis, and a recent report claimed that Arsenal are now considering a contract termination for the Spanish right-back, whose deal expires next summer.

Centre-back Pablo Mari is also being tipped to make a permanent switch to Serie A after an impressive loan spell at Udinese, with Monza and Hellas Verona reportedly keen to sign the Spaniard.