Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club are determined to keep strengthening the squad and build towards becoming “the best club in the world” after winning the Premier League title.
The Gunners ended a 22-year wait for the league trophy last season and have already moved to reinforce their squad, bringing in high-profile additions including Christian Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes.
Arteta said Arsenal would continue pursuing top-level players as they seek to establish themselves among the world’s elite.
“It’s certainly the ambition of the club and the owners to be the best club in the world,” he told Sky Sports.
“In order to do that, you need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, and you need the best squad and the best players in the world.
“Those are the ones that win you football matches and the ones that can be decisive when it matters.
“That’s what we try to build with the actual players that we have, and with the players that we want to sign to make the difference for Arsenal.”
Arsenal begin the new campaign as strong favourites to retain their Premier League crown, with their credentials strengthened by a convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield.
Arteta, however, insists he is comfortable with the pressure that comes with being regarded as favourites.
“I think this is part of our industry, and that’s OK,” he said. “For me, it’s when I look into the eyes of my players and I see that fire, that desire and the will to be better every single day.
“That’s the only thing that I care about.”
Arsenal face the additional challenge of defending their league title, something the club have not achieved since the 1990s.
Arteta sees that as another record the team can attempt to break.
“That’s an opportunity that we have ahead, and we are very conscious of what it’s going to take to deliver that,” he said.
“But I feel the ambition, I feel the desire, and I feel the ability and the conviction around the team that we can do it.”
Arsenal chief: New signings need ‘to change the dial’
Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick says the club are looking for additions who “are going to change the dial” as they aim to maintain their position at the top.
The Premier League champions missed out on Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian committed his future to Real Madrid, while Arsenal remain interested in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.
Asked about the club’s pursuit of elite players, Garlick said: “It’s players that are going to take Arsenal forward.
“In the past we’ve looked at players that maybe helped build out the squad or get us to a certain level, but now we’re competing right at the top level, and we do need to bring in players that are going to change the dial.
“That might be younger players that come into your squad and give them time to develop, and you’ve seen that in the last couple of years at Arsenal, and if we’re able to combine those players that are coming through the academy with some of the best players in the world then we’ve got every chance of maintaining that success and going beyond what we’ve already achieved.”
Arsenal have already spent £143.5m on four summer signings, including the permanent acquisition of defender Piero Hincapie.
On whether the club still have funds available for further additions, Garlick said Arsenal would not become complacent after their recent success.
“We said at the start of this season we’re about to embark on that we’re not going to stand still and pat ourselves on the back and say, ‘Well done, job done, nothing else to do’. We want to move forward – the best clubs are always moving forward.
“You can see we’ve already invested in the squad this season, and if the right opportunity arises, then we will look to strengthen in all areas.
“The window’s open for the next couple of weeks, and if there are players that are going to come in and move Arsenal forward, then we will look at that.
“The standard now is high, though – the bar’s been set winning the Premier League title and getting to the Champions League final. We’re probably fishing in a smaller pool of quality players, and that means that it’s tricky to land those players that are going to drive Arsenal forward.
“But if the right opportunity presents itself, we’ll certainly be exploring it.”