Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says his side need to improve in every area if they are to take the Premier League crown away from Manchester City.
The Gunners ran the champions close in each of the last two campaigns but fell short as Pep Guardiola continued his dominance in English football.
City are looking to make it five consecutive title wins in 2024-25, but Arsenal will again be standing in their way and there is renewed hope in North London that they can end their 20-year wait for the crown.
They are close to signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, a key defensive reinforcement who will join the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White in the backline.
But Arteta wants more than just the 22-year-old and says it is necessary to continue strengthening the squad if they are to keep pace with City.
Speaking to the media during the club’s pre-season tour of the US, he said: “We know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources, especially in terms of numbers where we are very 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.
“Perfection in this league requires different standards to relate that word to winning the Premier League.
“That’s what we need to do, we need to upgrade everything we’re doing and improve in every area. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
💪 Jurrien Timber’s mentality
📋 Summer plans
🇺🇸 US TourEvery word of Mikel Arteta’s pre-Bournemouth media huddle 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 23, 2024
Mission impossible
Being perfect in England’s top flight is almost impossible, although Arsenal are the only team to have gone an entire domestic campaign unbeaten.
There is no doubting they are close to glory once again, but they will need to muster everything they have this season, while avoiding injuries to key players.
Arteta added: “We are so close. There are moments where we had really fine margins. We have earned to be there, and obviously we want much more and we are going to try to get it.
“When you are so close, you really want to grab it. But I think you have to analyse the whole thing.
“In the end, the outcome of this football club has to be to win major trophies, and we are in the process to achieve that – we are very close.
“The level that we are showing is extremely high, but it’s not been enough to win it. That’s the target.
