Mikel Arteta Warns Not To Expect ‘Declan Rice-Level’ Signing This Summer

Mikel Arteta aims to curb fans’ expectation…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta aimed to curb fans’ expectations as our summer transfer business ramps up, warning them not to expect a signing that would command the financial outlay deployed on Declan Rice last summer.

Speaking ahead of our friendly in Philadelphia against Liverpool on our pre-season tour of the US, Arteta was holding court regarding our plans in the window.

The club announced our first proper signing of the transfer window in the shape of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee rising to €50 million. The defender adds depth to our back-line and can operate at left-back as well as the heart of the defence.

Calafiori’s arrival continues a trend under Arteta since his arrival, with the manager making a major signing to our defensive unit in each of his five summer transfer windows.

However, as the focus now shifts to other areas of the squad that need addressing, the Spaniard made it clear that there remains a financial ceiling the club will not smash this summer.

“We don’t expect to do anything like it at this moment,” Arteta admitted when asked if Arsenal could spend big on a Rice-level signing.

 “That’s the reality.”

When pushed further on where he wants to improve the team in the final month of the transfer window, the 42-year-old was coy with his information.

“We’ll have to wait and see the movements in the market.

“We’ve already identified things that we can improve – we have meetings every March or April and if we can we will try and strengthen the team.

“I believe we can get better but so far I am really happy with what we have,” the boss added.

While some may grunt at Arteta’s admission, they may have lost sight of who we are as a football club and how we’ve always been run.

The Declan Rice signing felt monumental because it was a unique time in the club’s history and one we knew wouldn’t become the norm. It can’t become the norm – unless you’re bankrolled by a nation state.

Also, few players in the world can give you the type of assurances Rice can as a new signing and the 25-year-old has become everything we’d hoped for.

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