Edu has insisted Arsenal will be serious title contenders again next season. Gunners technical director Edu has sent a clear message the club will be busy in the transfer market this summer to build on this season's foundations.
Arsenal were the Premier League ’s surprise package as they went toe-to-toe with Manchester City but Edu says it will not be a flash in the pan and they will be back stronger.
Edu said: “We have to start the season believing that we can be title contenders. We can’t start the season thinking: ‘What can we do?’ We have to start on the right foot, just like we did this season, and finish it in the best way possible.
“If we can, with a title. With all due respect to all the processes we have to carry out throughout the season. But that’s how we have to approach this. We are very excited about that.”
Arsenal are ready to spend big with West Ham captain Declan Rice their No1 target while they also want to strengthen in defence and add more in midfield.
They could also offload Granit Xhaka who is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen while Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding are also possible departures while there is Italian interest in Thomas Partey.
It could fund a strengthening of the squad in key areas as Edu also insisted they must identify the right players to fit in with the dressing room and Mikel Arteta’ mentality.
Edu said: “We need to identify how we can improve, if we have to improve specific, individual positions, individuals, final turn, midfielders, our defence. We already know what it is because our style of play with Mikel Arteta is very clear.
"When you see Arsenal play now, you know it’s our style. Now we have to understand how to enhance our athletes so the team can improve and reach a new level in terms of performance. I think there is a level above.
“Mikel and I talked, and we believe we can raise our performance to a new level. Now we have to do good work in the transfer window, we have to understand what we need, get the right athletes, the right traits, and the right athlete mentality so we can raise our squad’s level again.”
Arsenal ended their season with a 5-0 win over Wolves. After the game, Mikel Arteta said: "I’m a human being, I have feelings! It was really nice the way they transmitted that love to the team, to every player and obviously towards me as well. It’s been a really emotional year, a very special season and the team deserves, and our people deserve to end it in a good way so I’m really happy."
