Arteta has praised Arsenal’s owners for spending more than £250m on transfers in the past year
(Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised the Kroenke family for spending aggressively in the transfer market in a bid to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Gunners have spent £118million already this summer and could add another big name before the window closes.
Owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh both travelled from Denver to watch Wednesday’s 3-1 win against Orlando City and oversee the £32m the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arsenal fans wanted the Kroenkes to sell the club to Spotify owner Daniel Ek last year.
But Arteta believes they have demonstrated their commitment to the club by spending more than £250m on transfers over the past year.
Arteta: “I’ve been really impressed. They were here for two days, we had a lot time to sit down in a really relaxed way: talk about football, the sport in general.
“The vision they have, the commitment and level of understanding of the sport in general is fascinating. I can tell you, I have never seen ownership at that level so committed, close and engaged to bring this club where we want.
“I’m really happy. For what we planned and where we are today, we are pretty far on those plans. Everything is going really well and now it’s about finalising what we wanted to do.
“Obviously we have a big squad and some of the players have to leave and that’s what we’re trying to get – that balance right.
“If you look at how other teams have done it and where we were, there is a transition moment where that smile has to change at some stage.
“Just look where we are investing the money, we are not spending the money, we have made big investments, but investment for the future with huge talent and a lot of performance and possibly in the future we have to do something to have a squad that can sustainably be financed by itself. That’s the objective.”
On further new arrivals, Arteta said: “We’ll see, we will try to keep improving the team that’s for sure.”
As well as Zinchenko, Arsenal have also signed Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner.
Zinchenko could face Chelsea on Saturday night in Orlando.
“He’s going to train, he’s allowed to train and if he feels good, maybe tomorrow he’s got some minutes,” said Arteta. “We’ll make that decision but I reassure you that the player is going to be pushing to play some minutes.”
“For us it was the business we wanted to do. Obviously knowing the player it was a huge positive, then the experience they already have in the league for them to adapt and contribute the right way
“And then the players that we are bringing - with the right winning mentality, players that have already done it who can inspire others now and push the boat much faster.”
