‘Very Close to Achieving It’ – Mikel Arteta Drops Huge Arsenal Transfer Hint

Arteta admits striker need, but insists Arsenal’s transfer strategy is aligned and ambitious

Arsenal may have fallen short in their quest for European and domestic glory this season, but Mikel Arteta is already looking ahead. And if his latest comments are anything to go by, the Gunners boss is preparing to strike — quite literally — in the upcoming transfer window.

Speaking candidly in the aftermath of Arsenal’s painful Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Mikel Arteta acknowledged the growing pressure on the club to recruit a top-class striker. Yet the Spaniard remained calm and resolute, offering a rare glimpse into the club’s internal planning and assuring fans that the boardroom is “very close to achieving” what they’ve set out to do.

Missed Chances in Paris Put Striker Search Back in the Spotlight

For a team so often lauded for their attacking play, Arsenal’s toothlessness in front of goal during the PSG tie came as a surprise — but not a shock. The warning signs have been there all season.

In the second leg in Paris, Arsenal carved out enough chances to make it a very different evening. Within the opening quarter-hour, both Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard had glorious opportunities to score, only to be thwarted by a brilliant Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian keeper wasn’t done either — he would later deny Bukayo Saka with another world-class save, helping secure a 2-1 win (3-1 on aggregate) for PSG.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the stats told a different story: Arsenal registered five expected goals (xG) over two legs, but only found the net once. For many observers, that inefficiency in the final third re-opened an old wound — the club’s long-standing failure to bring in a natural, clinical No. 9.

“We’re Aligned and Very Close to Achieving It”

That sentiment hasn’t escaped Mikel Arteta’s attention.

“I understand the narrative [about signing a No. 9],” he told Sky Sports. “When you create five expected goals but only score one, it’s going to happen. It’s normal.”

But the Arsenal manager was quick to stress that decisions at the Emirates aren’t made on vibes alone. “We look at the things with much more data and resources than many people, but a lot of people have very good intuition on what is needed — and it’s good to listen to those opinions.”

More significantly, Mikel Arteta insisted that the club’s top brass are fully aligned heading into the summer. “We have a very clear vision from the ownership, the owner and the board, the new sporting director — we are all aligned on what we want to do. We are very close to achieving it — and that’s it.”

For a fanbase so often left in the dark about the club’s direction, Mikel Arteta’s transparency was a breath of fresh air — though supporters will understandably remain skeptical until they see a marquee signing walk through the doors at London Colney.

Injuries and Improvisation: Arsenal’s Striker Dilemma

Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s top Premier League scorer with just nine goals / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

It’s not just about underperformance — Arsenal’s striker woes have been worsened by bad luck.

Gabriel Jesus, plagued by recurring injury issues since his arrival from Manchester City, was ruled out in February with a knee injury. Kai Havertz, whom Mikel Arteta had moulded into an attacking focal point, followed soon after with a muscular problem of his own. With both sidelined, Arsenal were forced to turn to unconventional options — including deploying Mikel Merino as an emergency forward.

That level of improvisation, while admirable, isn’t sustainable for a team hoping to challenge the very best in Europe. Arsenal’s attacking build-up play is often dazzling, but too often it ends without a killer blow — a final product that defines elite sides.

The Striker Shortlist: Isak, Gyökeres, Sesko — But at What Cost?

Names have already started to swirl as the summer window approaches.

Alexander Isak, the Swedish frontman currently lighting up St James’ Park with Newcastle, is high on the Gunners’ radar. His blend of physicality, movement, and technique makes him a tantalising prospect — though Newcastle are unlikely to let him go cheaply.

Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres is another strong contender. The former Coventry City striker has taken Portugal by storm this season, racking up goals and turning heads across the continent. Then there’s Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian wonderkid making waves at RB Leipzig — a long-term target whose potential ceiling could be sky-high.

But securing any of those names won’t come cheap. Arsenal are already considering a move for Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad’s stylish holding midfielder, in a deal that could cost upwards of €60 million (£50.8m). That sort of financial outlay could limit what’s possible further up the pitch.

Still, with Champions League football returning to the Emirates again next season, the incentive to spend big is as strong as it’s ever been.

Arteta’s Belief: The Sun Will Come After the Storm

As always, Mikel Arteta remained philosophical when asked about the emotional rollercoaster of the season.

“Some days it will be sunny, then the storm will come,” he said. “You have to go through every single day, lift your head up, make sure that you’re doing your very best in a very honest way and you’re fully believing what you can do. Then it will come.”

It’s the kind of message fans have come to expect from the 42-year-old manager — part idealist, part pragmatist, always composed. He knows as well as anyone that football is unforgiving. Progress isn’t always linear, and trophies don’t arrive simply because you deserve them.

But there’s a quiet confidence about Mikel Arteta these days — a sense that Arsenal are no longer just hoping to be great, but actively building towards it.

Final Word: A Crucial Summer for Arsenal

There’s no getting around it — this summer could define the next chapter in Arsenal’s resurgence.

The team is young, hungry, and bursting with potential. They’ve gone toe-to-toe with some of Europe’s biggest clubs and, at times, outplayed them. But potential alone won’t win titles. If the Gunners want to take that final step, they’ll need to address their striker situation decisively.

Arteta says they’re close. The board is aligned. The plan is in place. Now it’s time to act.

Whether that means Isak, Gyökeres, Sesko, or someone else entirely, one thing is clear: Arsenal’s margin for error is shrinking. The fans believe. The players are on board. All that’s left is for the club to show the same ambition in the transfer market that they’ve shown on the pitch.

Let’s see if that storm Mikel Arteta mentioned finally clears.