£200m summer spree has heightened the pressure on Mikel Arteta to deliver

NO Premier League club has spent more money in the summer transfer window than Arsenal. Indeed, the Gunners have splurged roughly £200m on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber with all three new signings seen as central to Mikel Arteta’s project at the Emirates Stadium. Tottenham Hotspur sit second in the spending list having spent approximately half that amount.

Rice’s capture in particular makes a statement about Arsenal’s current direction. The club is clearly on an upward trajectory with the Gunners determined to improve on last season’s second-place finish in the Premier League. They want to be able to go the distance with Manchester City after the summer.

By spending so much, though, the pressure on Arteta to deliver has never been greater. Until now, Arsenal have been a work-in-progress under the Spanish coach. Even last season, when Arsenal unexpectedly challenged for the Premier League title, there was widespread acknowledgement they were overachieving ahead of schedule.

This season, though, Arsenal are expected to be the finished product. Arteta’s process must lead to a point of culmination. First, he gave the Gunners a new identity. Then he moulded the squad to fit his vision. Now, Arsenal have two or three suitable options in almost every position with Timber, bought for £34m, not even guaranteed a starting spot.

“The idea is to be more unpredictable every year, to become more difficult for the opponents to stop and nullify what we want to do,” Arteta said. “That’s what we have now, especially at the back and in the midfield. The options we have, to open up the spaces… we have many more options than we had last year.”

Arsenal signings this summer:

🇩🇪 Kai Havertz – £65m🇳🇱 Jurrien Timber – £38m 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Declan Rice – £105m

£208m spent. 💰 pic.twitter.com/iKdFhoisLt

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 24, 2023

A lack of squad depth ultimately cost Arsenal in the Premier League title race last season. While Manchester City were able to rotate in the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Phil Foden, Arsenal had to start Rob Holding when William Saliba was sidelined for the final few weeks of the campaign.

Arteta has clearly recognised this and Arsenal’s squad is stronger now than it was only a matter of weeks ago. Havertz in particular hints at the Gunners’ desire to add depth with the German international capable in a number of different positions in midfield and across the frontline. Timber, a centre back by trade, is also comfortable at right back.

Arsenal have signed well, not just this summer, but in past windows too. However, they have spent a lot. In fact, Arsenal have spent the most (£595m) of any Premier League club over the last five years. By comparison, City have spent just £230m and they have won four Premier League titles and the Champions League in that timeframe.

There are no further steps for Arsenal to take. They are back in the Champions League after a six-year absence and have the experience of having been in a title race. Their fans will justifiably expect them to get even closer, or surpass, Manchester City regardless of whether or not that is truly realistic.

No Arsenal manager since Arsene Wenger has commanded such power at the Emirates Stadium. The North London club have clearly backed Arteta to restore them as a force in domestic and European competition and the Spaniard has certainly succeeded in making Arsenal an attractive place for new signings again.

The final step, however, will be the most difficult one for Arteta’s Arsenal to take and this summer’s spending could prove to be more of a curse than a blessing. The Gunners need something to show for their £200m come the end of next season. Arteta has never been under more pressure than he is now.