Arteta coy on Gyokeres, but says 'a lot of time left' for transfers
"He's not part of our group yet," Arteta told reporters in Singapore of Sporting Lisbon's Swedish striker ahead of pre-season friendlies against AC Milan and Newcastle United this week.
"And I don't have anything concrete to offer to any player who is not part of the group yet," he added.
English Premier League Arsenal have so far signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, Christian Norgaard from Brentford, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and, most recently, Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
Arteta is still looking to beef up his attacking options, with Arsenal reportedly offering a deal worth £70 million ($94 million) for the prolific Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games in Portugal last season.
"There's still a lot of time in the transfer window, and we are still seeking the numbers," said Arteta
"We are short, and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad.
"But for now, I'm focusing on the players we already have, and I'm very pleased with what I've seen so far."
Arteta is acutely aware that Arsenal have not won the Premier League since 2004 and that his squad need to go one better after finishing second in each of the past three seasons.
"I don't have to convince (the players) about winning the Premier League. I know how good they are, and we all want to take the next step," said Arteta.
"Our job is to put ourselves in the best competitive position to achieve our goal. That's our individual responsibility," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
'A bit surreal' - England coach Wiegman hails reaching Euro 2025 final
GENEVA, (Switzerland): England coach Sarina Wiegman said she felt "many emotions" after her team produced another dramatic comeback to beat Italy in extra time on Tuesday and reach the final of the Women's Euro 2025. "I have many emotions again. I feel relief, I feel happy — it feels a bit surreal but we are here and we are going to the final," Wiegman said following the 2-1 win in Geneva, secured thanks to a Chloe Kelly goal in the 119th minute. Italy were seconds away from a shock victory over the defending champions and a place in the final as they led deep into injury time thanks to Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute goal. But substitute Michelle Agyemang equalised for England in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force the extra period, before Kelly — who had also come off the bench — followed in to score the deciding goal after her penalty had been saved, just as another shoot-out loomed. "It does feel like a movie. When it finishes like that I am enjoying it but it was a little bit dramatic," smiled Wiegman. Her team had already produced a stunning comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals, when they trailed 2-0 before two goals by Lucy Bronze and Agyemang in the space of three minutes late on forced extra time and they eventually advanced on penalties. "We know with the players we have in the squad that we can always score more because we have shown that multiple times," Wiegman added. "At the end we did it and then we got extra time, and then we got the penalty. We were a bit lucky to score it in the second stage but we are through." England, who saw winger Lauren James come off at half-time with an ankle injury, will now go to Basel for the final on Sunday against either Spain or Germany — they meet in their last-four clash on Wednesday. It will be a third consecutive major tournament final for the Lionesses, who beat Germany in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley and then lost to Spain in the deciding game at the following year's World Cup in Sydney. "That is what happens when a great team comes together and makes things happen — three consecutive finals playing under an unbelievable manager in Sarina," said Kelly, the Arsenal forward who got the winner in the 2022 Euro final. "It is incredible to be part of this special team. I am so proud." She added: "I can't believe what has just happened. The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special." Meanwhile, Italy coach Andrea Soncin said he was proud of his team despite the agony of seeing the Azzurre fall just short of reaching a first final since the 1997 Euros. "It hurts but we are very proud for all that we have done," said Soncin, who took charge of the team in 2023 and is now eyeing the 2027 World Cup. "The fact we were just a minute away from the final can be encouraging for us.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Atletico Madrid sign Marc Pubill after missing Jesus Areso
ATLETICO MADRID signed Almeria full-back Marc Pubill on Tuesday after missing out on Jesus Areso. Osasuna right-back Areso joined Athletic Bilbao earlier on despite reports Atletico had agreed a deal for the Spaniard. 'Our club and Almeria have reached a deal, as long as (Pubill) passes his medical and signs his new contract,' said Atletico in a statement. Atletico did not state how much they will pay to sign the 22-year-old defender who was linked with a £13 million ($18 million) switch to Premier League side Wolves. Areso came back to Athletic Bilbao after departing their reserve side in 2021 for Osasuna, with the 26-year-old's return costing the Basque side up to 12 million euros ($14 million), according to Spanish reports. 'Athletic and Osasuna have reached a deal for the transfer of the full-back Jesus Areso, who signs for the red-and-whites until June 30, 2031,' said Athletic in a statement. Ernesto Valverde's Athletic finished fourth last season in La Liga and managed to tie down winger Nico Williams earlier this summer despite interest from Barcelona. - AFP
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Childhood fan Mbeumo joins Man Utd rebuild
CAMEROON winger Bryan Mbeumo said he "grew up wearing" the Manchester United shirt on Monday after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, with an option for a further year. Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million (RM371m) having scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for the Bees. Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the France-born attacker before United's improved offer sealed the move. United's third bid, worth an initial £65m with £6m in add-ons, was accepted last week. "As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams," Mbeumo said in a United statement. "The team whose shirt I wore growing up. "This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies," he added. United coach Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season's catastrophic display. They lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74. Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford. "My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday," Mbeumo said. "I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players." Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019. Mbeumo helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25. — AFP
