Mikel Arteta drops 'big' Arsenal transfer hint amid Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres links

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is gearing up for a "big summer", with plans to bolster the squad in pursuit of major silverware next season. The club's new sporting director Andrea Berta has been welcomed by Arteta, signalling an ambitious transfer window ahead for the Gunners.

Despite falling short in the current title race, Arsenal are poised for significant investment in the market, eyeing a new centre forward and left winger, alongside a £51million move for Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Arteta expressed his enthusiasm: "It's going to be a big one and we are very excited about it."

Arteta elaborated on the strategic approach to the upcoming transfer windows: "The way we planned the five first summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives because the turnaround of players and the objective of those windows was going to be different."

Per the Mirror, he further outlined the club's ambitions: "But now when you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step."

Targets such as RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres are reportedly on Arsenal's radar for the centre forward position. Links to Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams also suggest a busy period ahead for the north London side.

While still competing in the Champions League, Arsenal acknowledges the need to bridge the gap with top contenders like Liverpool in the Premier League.

Arteta has emphasised the importance of contract renewals for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, as they enter the final two years of their current deals. The Arsenal boss is confident that new sporting director Andrea Berta will be a significant asset to the club, stating: "I think Andrea is a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team, a team that is already formed with a lot of great people."

He also highlighted the significance of the upcoming summer, saying: "Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary."

Arteta further noted the need to build on the team's strong foundation while seeking improvements, adding: "But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team."

Regarding the future of Saka and Saliba, Arteta remarked: "It's very important but we're going to leave all those questions for Andrea and make sure that he has his place and his role and he can fulfil it. Hopefully my influence will be in other aspects."