Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal must get their transfer business spot on this summer as the Gunners face a battle to keep the pace with Manchester City next season.
Arsenal are set to miss out on their first Premier League title since 2004 with Pep Guardiola's side needing one win from their remaining three matches to retain their crown. The Gunners were in pole position to lift the title before a late collapse - picking up nine points from a possible 21 - has seen them fall off the pace.
However, with City set to seal the title, focus for Arteta will turn to the summer transfer window and ensuring his side can compete next term. Arsenal will also play in the Champions League for the first time in six years and will need to bolster their squad in preparation.
When asked about his team's plans, Arteta said: "When you get closer to the top then the margins are smaller. And whether it makes you win or lose, it’s minimal, and it changes. It’s a penalty that goes in or out, and then the decision changes in that moment.
"Having 3-4 injuries or having a full squad in key moments defines a season. So what we have ahead of us in the summer is extremely important and we have to absolutely nail it."
Arsenal haven't competed in the Champions League since the 2016/17 campaign under Arsene Wenger. They almost qualified for Europe's elite club competition last season but ended up falling short on the final day, with Tottenham pipping them.
However, despite already confirming their place, Arteta has concerns about the strength of his squad. He is hoping to add another couple of additions to his ranks ahead of the new season.
Will Arsenal compete for the Premier League title next season? Let us know in the comments below!
Asked whether he feels his squad is strong enough for the challenge of Champions League football, he replied: "Today? No. At the level that we want, no. Because we didn’t have the capacity to do that as well with the Europa League, so it’s part of that evolution and we have made a lot of good steps in that journey and we have to continue that - that never ends.
"We want to be better, the rest will be better, the demands will be higher and we have to start with us, lift the standards and improve and be smarter."
While Arsenal face a busy summer in the transfer market, Arteta insisted it will not all be about relying solely on new arrivals. "That doesn’t mean to only sign players though," he added. "It’s to improve our players, and players that we haven’t had the best out of them this season.
"It’s our job to improve them, because there are a few players who haven’t had the minutes or the performances and we have to seek as well for those players to give us a different edge. It’s not only about signing players, it’s about resources, staff and improving certain things that can be done better or more efficiently or smarter."
Arsenal are also set to lose players this summer. Granit Xhaka is expected to make the switch to Bayer Leverkusen - seven years after he joined the Gunners in a deal worth £30million. He has been a brilliant servant to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta paid tribute to the midfielder ahead of his side's game against Nottingham Forest.
He said: "The clarity is there. He’s a player that has played nearly every minute since I’ve been the manager.
"He’s an incredible and respected figure at the club with a great story around him with what he has achieved at the club and going through tough moments. He’s a key and very important part of us and whatever happens is something that we will discuss, but certainly not now."
