Mikel Arteta confirmed Arsenal's transfer plans for the remainder of the summer window after the Gunners cruised to a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield. The defending Premier League champions issued a warning to their title rivals with a dominant display in Cardiff.
Arsenal took the lead inside 30 seconds when Riccardo Calafiori converted a superb through ball from Myles Lewis-Skelly. Kai Havertz doubled the lead midway through the first half, heading in from a Christos Tzolis assist. Captain Martin Odegaard sealed the win with a third goal in Enzo Maresca's first competitive game since replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Defensive Reinforcements Needed
Despite the impressive performance, Arteta confirmed he is still looking to strengthen his defensive options before the window closes. Asked if his focus is on defensive signings after the £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes, Arteta said: 'We know there are certain areas that through injuries we are weaker and we need to strengthen. We're trying to do that and we've been trying to do that for weeks. Only when the opportunity is right for the club will we do it.'
Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-back after losing William Saliba for an 'extended period' due to an injury sustained during France's World Cup campaign. Jurrien Timber will also miss the start of the season. Arsenal have expressed interest in England international Ezri Konsa, but Aston Villa are holding out for £60m, while Arsenal have indicated they are willing to pay £45m. The Gunners also admire Konsa's England teammate Jarell Quansah, a former Liverpool player who featured at this summer's World Cup.
Arteta's Reaction and Injury Updates
Discussing the win, Arteta said: 'A really good performance. To show the desire we showed and the reaction I was really impressed. I told them I really enjoyed watching them play.'
On the injured duo, he added: 'Jurrien is progressing really well. He is on the pitch, we are ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume and the load. I think he is on a good trajectory, but there is still a few weeks to go. Wilo, as we all know, it's more a long-term injury. We have to wait and see [on the timeframe of their return]. He needs to start to train with the group in the next week or so hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there. It's been a long-term issue, and we want to make sure that every step that we take is the right one, he feels right to do that, because he's such an important player for us.'
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence with a home match against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.
