Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has claimed he is proud to have the players currently at his disposal after missing out on a move for Mykhailo Mudryk. The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium, but instead made an £88million transfer to rivals Chelsea, as confirmed on Sunday.
The Ukraine international was paraded at Stamford Bridge during half-time in his new side's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Discussing his move, the winger said: "I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea. This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff."
For the Gunners it comes as a huge blow, having made three bids to Shakhtar Donetsk for the forward this window that were eventually turned down. It may come as a missed opportunity for Arteta should he not be able to add to his squad in January to give them the best chance possible of winning the Premier League title.
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It would be a potential repeat of last season, where the side didn't strengthen in the transfer window and when injuries hit, they wilted and missed out on a top four finish. With Mudryk now off the market, Arteta was asked about the situation and whether transfers will be an issue.
He told football.london: "We have excellent players and we want to improve our squad in this transfer window – when I say we I mean, myself, the coaching staff, the staff players, the board and the ownership – we all want to do that. But we will do the deals we can do and the ones we feel are right for the club."
Arteta also discussed missing Mudryk to Sky Sports after the game. "I am very proud to have the players we have," the Gunners boss said. "We always want to improve the squad, the club is the first one that is trying, but I think as well we have to have some discipline.
"We have to be very consistent in the targets that we want, but as well what we want do in each moment. We can get those players better, so let's focus on that."
It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will dip into the market in the final two weeks, however it could prove to be a huge deciding moment for their season.
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