MIKEL ARTETA has revealed Arsenal already have plans in place for the next two transfer windows.
The Gunners were one of the busier Premier League clubs in the summer, acquiring the services of four new players.
Mikel Arteta is under mounting pressure at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
Mikel Arteta and Edu have already devised plans for the 2021 transfer windowsCredit: Reuters
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was the north Londoners’ most expensive acquisition, costing the current FA Cup holders a cool £45million.
Arsenal’s new recruits have so far failed to change the club’s fortunes on the pitch, with Arteta’s troops currently toiling in 15th place in the Premier League table.
Arteta and Arsenal’s technical director, Edu, weren’t under the illusion that the team’s problems would be resolved in one transfer window and, as such, have made long-term recruitment and exit plans.
The Spaniard: “The planning is done, what we want to do in January and in the summer.
“Sometimes you can do it, sometimes not depending on a lot of factors.
“Edu is dealing with that at the moment and I’m focused with all the games, we don’t have much time to spend energy now on that because it’s very clear what we want to do.
“My job is to make the most out of this squad, the players that we have.
“We know what we want to do and we will try to execute it knowing that the actual context, market and what we’ve been through makes it’s difficult.”
Arsenal – who are currently four points above the relegation zone – have won just one of their last ten Premier League matches.
Arteta has been left frustrated by his side’s poor run of form but believes his men have also failed to get the rub of the green in recent matches.
He said: “Every possible scenario that can happen in a Premier League match is considered there, what is really effecting results, what is really effect what is happening through the game in 96 minutes – and it works,” he said.
“But then football is not like basketball. In basketball, you shoot 50 times and the opponent does it once and you win every single game. It doesn’t work in football like that.
“You can do it the opposite way around and lose 1-0. We lost against Burnley conceding zero shots on target from the opponent.
“We lost it which is incredible but it happens in football unfortunately. Even those things you have to be able to control them, it’s pretty tricky.
“I’m telling you last year we were winning games with 25 per cent chance of winning, but we are so efficient when we get into this position.
“This is football but if you are constantly on sixties and seventies [per cent] long term you are going to win many more matches and this is what we have try to do.
“And believe sustain that, but still improve because there’s always a reason why you don’t win it and that’s what we have to change.”
Arsenal will be back in action on Boxing Day, welcoming their London rivals Chelsea to the Emirates.
Gabby Agbonlahor says Mikel Arteta has lost dressing room with Arsenal players not running for him any more
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
