Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has admitted that Arsenal needs to sign at least eight players in the summer transfer window if they want to compete for the Premier League or the top four next season.
Arsenal spent £160 million in last summer’s transfer window, which was the most by any Club in the Premier League. last season’s summer saw the likes of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu come to the Emirates.
The Gunner saw their dream of playing in the Champions League next season slip through their hands after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. Arsenal will now pray for a miracle on Sunday as their competitor for the last Champions League slot for Premier League club Tottenham needs only a draw against relegated Norwich City to qualify.
However, Campbell believes Arsenal’s inability to strengthen key departments within their team in winter transfer affected Arsenal’s chance of playing in the Champions League.
The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Arthur Melo, and Youri Tielemans all linked to a possible transfer to Arsenal. Arteta is believed to be given a transfer budget of £180 million for the summer.
What did Campbell say?
Speaking to Football Insider he said: “You could say a lack of activity in January cost Arsenal but you just don’t know.
“The fact is, this squad was in a great position with three games to go. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but nothing is guaranteed.
“What I do know is that Arsenal needs eight players. Many people say to me, “Eight players, what are you talking about?” Now they see. We need eight new players.
“We need eight players who are good enough to start. The starting XI and bench should be strong so you can mix and twist the team.
“Arsenal are not good enough at the moment. They do not have the strength in depth.’’
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal has done more than what is expected of them this season after the top four collapses.
Speaking on BBC ahead of their final Premier League match he said:‘In a week when we are all on holiday and we look back at what we’ve done, whether we are in the Champions League or the Europa League I think everybody will agree that we did more than was expected.
“They have shown what it takes (to compete for the Champions League) because what they’ve done, in the last 10 seasons nobody has done it, a club, a team with that age bracket starting XI that we have put on the pitch, it hasn’t been done in this league.
“It’s something they’ve done and that’s a credit to the team for what they have delivered.”
Arteta added:” The thing is, where we want to be is not where we are today, we want to be the best and that gap is still really big.
“We’ve come a long way in many things, especially who we are as a club and the connection between what we are doing and how our people feel about what we are doing.
“That’s important as well and it takes a long time to build that trust.”
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