Mikel Arteta explains Arsenal's slow start to summer transfer window
- Arsenal yet to add to squad this summer
- David Raya's loan from Brentford was turned permanent as expected
- Arteta believes PSR fears have made transfers difficult
By Tom Gott
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the Gunners have been forced to move slower in the summer transfer window because of new Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR).
New financial regulations, which have already led to points deductions for both Everton and Nottingham Forest, have caused major changes across the Premier League and led to a flurry of activity before June 30 as teams sought to avoid major losses to end the financial year.
Fears of PSR have seen Arsenal take a measured approach to the summer window. The Gunners are yet to bolster their squad aside from turning David Raya's loan permanent and have instead focused on outgoings, with the likes of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares in talks over possible departures.
"I think you can tell everything is a bit slower," Arteta confessed to club media. "I think the market and the new rules in place have caused that clubs are more aware and it’s a bit more delicate to do business in the way we’ve done in the last few seasons.
"We have adapted to that, and we still want to deliver what we want in the transfer window to have a much more competitive team, and improve the squad in every area that we can."
"We know the demands in the league and the competition we are facing," Arteta continued. "So all the work we’re doing is to find ways to get better and to see where the margins can be for our improvement.
"That pain [from last season] is still there and I think it has to remain there, but after analysing the whole season with all the staff, the team has done a lot and probably in any other context we would have won the Premier League and that's a big jump. But it's not enough."
The Gunners remain in talks with Bologna over centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, who is seen as a key target to bolster the left side of Arteta's back line this summer.
A new midfielder is also on the radar. Real Sociedad duo Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are believed to be of interest.
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