ARTETA: WE’RE ON THE VIRG OF SUCCESS
MIKEL ARTETA has urged Arsenal to go for broke in the transfer market and find their own Virgil van Dijk.
The Gunners boss, whose side are nine points adrift of the top four, believes it is getting harder and harder to get back into the Champions League.
When asked about his side’s defence, the Spaniard pointed to tonight’s opponents Liverpool as proof of what a few big signings can achieve.
Arsenal do not have the resources to sign players like Van Dijk, Alisson and Fabinho but Arteta wants his side to follow their example. Asked if
■ signing a defensive giant like Van Dijk is a template for him, Arteta said: “Yes, as that is the way that I believe a team has to be built.
“They were conceding goals, with some individual errors and some set pieces as well.
“And the moment they touched the spine of the team, that changes dramatically. So that is a quick fix.
“You get one of the best defenders in the world with the best goalkeeper in the world with one of the best holding midfielders in the world and you change it pretty quickly.
“You can see what happened straight away at Manchester
City when Aymeric Laporte came in.
“But we have to know that we have to do it our way with our resources.
“We have to find a way.”
Arsenal, who may have to sell to buy big this summer, have already signed young defender William Saliba for next season but it is clear Arteta wants more. Despite the Gunners looking certain to miss out on Champions League football, he believes the club are still a big draw. Arteta said: “We have an incredible history, an incredible structure, in a beautiful city and a style of play that attracts players. “I’m telling you now because when I am closer to the market now, when I speak to people, a lot of players want to play for Arsenal.”