Mikel Arteta is brimming with enthusiasm as he looks to further develop Arsenal following their Premier League triumph, declaring his ambition to transform the club into "the best club in the world." The Gunners clinched the league title last season, ending a 22‑year drought, and have already taken decisive steps to reinforce their squad for the defence of the crown. High‑profile signings such as Christian Tzolis and Bruno Guimarães have arrived, signalling a clear intent to add quality across the pitch. Speaking to Sky Sports at a Premier League launch event ahead of Arsenal's opening match against Coventry City, Arteta emphasised that the club’s owners share the same lofty ambition. "The ambition of the club and the owners is to be the best club in the world," he said.
He went on to outline the ingredients required to achieve that lofty goal: world‑class facilities, a state‑of‑the‑art stadium, passionate supporters, and, most importantly, a squad composed of the finest players on the planet. "Those are the elements that win matches and make the difference when the stakes are highest," Arteta explained. "We are building that foundation with the players we already have and with the talent we aim to recruit in the future." Arsenal entered the 2026/27 campaign as clear favourites to retain the title, a status reinforced by a commanding 3‑0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Yet Arteta remains grounded. "I’m comfortable with being the frontrunners, but the real test is in the eyes of my players," he remarked. "I see the fire, the desire, and the determination to improve every day – that’s what matters to me." Historically, defending the top‑flight crown has proven elusive for Arsenal; the last successful defence came in the 1990s.
Arteta acknowledges the weight of that history but views it as a challenge rather than a barrier. "We know what it will take, and I feel the ambition, desire, ability, and conviction within this group to achieve it," he asserted. Club chief executive Richard Garlick echoed the same sentiment, stating that Arsenal are targeting players who will "change the dial" for the team.
While a move for Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior fell through after the Brazilian renewed his contract, Arsenal have their sights set on Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez and have also been linked with Victor Osimhen. Garlick explained, "We need players who will take Arsenal forward.
In the past we recruited to build a squad, but now we are competing at the very top and must bring in talent that raises the standard." Financially, Arsenal have already invested £143.5 million in four summer signings, including the permanent acquisition of defender Piero Hincapié. When asked whether further spending was on the table, Garlick responded affirmatively: "We said at the start of the season we would not stand still.
The best clubs are always moving forward. If the right opportunity arises, we will act.
The bar is now set – winning the league and reaching a Champions League final – so we are fishing in a smaller pool of elite players, which makes the hunt more challenging." Despite the impressive start, Arteta is still looking to add depth, particularly in attack and defence. The club is exploring options for a versatile defender who can cover both centre‑back and right‑back positions, with England internationals Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah on the radar.
However, negotiations are complicated: Villa’s asking price for Konsa hovers around £60 million, while Bayer Leverkusen are reluctant to let Quansah leave. On the offensive front, Arsenal remain keen on securing a marquee striker after Vinícius chose to stay at Real Madrid. Julián Álvarez is a top target, and there are also whispers linking the club with Osimhen.
Earlier in the window Arsenal pursued a left‑winger, but the unexpected form of summer signing Christos Tzolis has given Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta confidence that the left flank is already well‑served. Financial sustainability is also a priority. The club is reportedly open to offers for Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus, while the future of Myles Lewis‑Skelly remains uncertain. The arrival of Bruno Guimarães has sparked speculation that either Lewis‑Skelly or Martin Zubimendi could depart.
Any sale of Zubimendi would likely need to recoup the £51 million spent on him last summer, whereas Lewis‑Skelly would represent pure profit. In summary, Arteta and Arsenal’s hierarchy are committed to a relentless pursuit of excellence. They aim to combine home‑grown talent with world‑class signings, continually upgrade facilities, and maintain a winning mentality throughout the squad.
The ambition is clear: to build a club that not only dominates domestically but also competes at the highest level in Europe, ultimately fulfilling the promise of becoming the best club in the world.