Mikel Arteta provides Riccardo Calafiori update and drops hint over more Arsenal transfers

Mikel Arteta is unsure when Arsenal’s move for Riccardo Calafiori will be finalised but hopes his arrival will be followed by more ‘upgrades’ ahead of the new Premier League season.

After twice falling short in Premier League title races with Manchester City, the Gunners are hoping to go the distance when the 2024-25 campaign kicks off having missed out on the final day last term.

Arsenal hope to close the gap on City this summer and are edging closer towards a deal for Italy star Calafiori, who is expected to join the club in a £42million deal from Bologna.

Having helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League last season before shining for Italy at Euro 2024, it is hoped the 22-year-old can have an instant impact in north London.

Arsenal have landed in Los Angeles for the start of their pre-season campaign, which will see them take on Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Asked on the possibility of Calafiori joining up with the squad to feature in their Stateside friendly games, Arteta told reporters he had ‘no update’ on the progress of the move.

‘I don’t know [if anyone will join us],’ Arteta said. ‘It’s still a lot of time to go in the window but that’s more of a question for Edu and the board I think. When you are so close you want to grab it. We are very close.’

Asked if he could provide a date for when the Calafiori deal would be done, Arteta added: ‘No, unfortunately not but obviously we know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources in terms of numbers where we are short.

‘We will try our best but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better.’

Arsenal are also hoping to strengthen in central midfield this summer with Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino among those thought to be of interest.

While he did not discuss specific targets, Arteta underlined the need for the club to ‘upgrade’ the current squad.

‘We have to,’ Arteta continued.

‘Perfection in this league requires different standards. To relate that word perfection to winning the Premier League then that’s what we have to do. We need to upgrade in everything we are doing. We have to improve in every area and that is what we are trying to do.’