Mikel Arteta outlined Arsenal’s plan for the rest of the summer transfer window after the Gunners outplayed Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Defending Premier League champions Arsenal issued a warning to their title rivals with a hugely impressive 3-0 win over Man City in Cardiff.
It took Arsenal less than 30 seconds to break the deadlock, Riccardo Calafiori tucking home following a superb through ball from Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Kai Havertz headed Arsenal two goals in front midway through the first half following an assist from Gunners summer signing Christos Tzolis.
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Captain Martin Odegaard scored his side’s third as Arsenal thumped Manchester City in Enzo Maresca’s first competitive game since replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal look incredibly strong going into the new season but Arteta confirmed he was still hoping to bolster his defensive options before the summer transfer window closes.
Asked whether his focus is now on defensive reinforcements after the £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes, Arteta said: ‘We know there are certain areas that through injuries we are weaker and we need to strengthen.
‘We’re trying to do that and we’ve been trying to do that for weeks. Only when the opportunity is right for the club will we do it.’
Discussing Arsenal’s statement win more generally, Arteta added: ‘A really good performance
‘To show the desire we showed and the reaction I was really impressed. I told them I really enjoyed watching them play.’
Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-back after losing William Saliba for an ‘extended period’ through an injury sustained during France’s World Cup campaign.
Arsenal will also be without Jurrien Timber for the start of the season.
The Gunners have expressed interest in signing England international Ezri Konsa but Aston Villa are holding out for a fee of £60m, while Arsenal have so far only indicated they are willing to pay £45m.
Arsenal also admire Konsa’s England teammate Jarell Quansah, a former Liverpool player who featured at this summer’s World Cup.
Discussing Saliba and Timber’s injuries ahead of the Community Shield against Man City, Arteta said: ‘Jurrien is progressing really well.
‘He is on the pitch, we are ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume and the load.
‘I think he is on a good trajectory, but there is still a few weeks to go. Wilo, as we all know, it’s more a long-term injury.
‘We have to wait and see [on the timeframe of their return]. He needs to start to train with the group in the next week or so hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there.
‘It’s been a long-term issue, and we want to make sure that every step that we take is the right one, he feels right to do that, because he’s such an important player for us.’
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence with a home match against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.
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