Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is hopeful that the club can soon bring new signings through the door, with the Gunners looking to tie up a deal for Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta was speaking on the first day of the club’s pre-season tour of the USA in which they will play Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Gunners are hoping to snap up Italian youngster Calafiori from Bologna and asked about the possibility of new signings, Arteta said: “I don’t know [if anyone will join us]. It’s still a lot of time to go in the window but that’s more of a question for Edu and the board I think.
And pushed on whether he could put a date on the Calafiori deal, he stated: “No, unfortunately not but obviously we know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources in terms of numbers where we are short.
“We will try our best but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better.”
The Spaniard also urged the club to strive for further improvement if they are to avoid falling just short of Manchester City in the Premier League for a third season in a row.
Asked if needed to upgrade his playing staff, Arteta explained: “We have to. Perfection in this league requires different standards.
“We need to upgrade in everything we are doing. We have to improve in every area and that is what we are trying to do.
IF Calafiori signs in time for Saturday’s match against Manchester United on 27 July, tickets are available here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A00605488EF12EF?CAMEFROM=CFC_ARSENALLA&utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=website_article&utm_campaign=tour24_tickets_onsale
FEATURED IMAGE: Adrian DENNIS / AFP VIA ONE FOOTBALL
