Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal 'need a striker' and plans to retain key midfielder

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Mikel Arteta is planning for changes at Arsenal this summer with major transfer moves expected.

The Gunners once again fell short in their battle to win a trophy in 2024/25 losing out to Liverpool in the Premier League title race and being eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi finals.

Arteta's side have clinched a third-successive second place EPL finish, but with fans growing restless over a lack of trophies, Arteta is under pressure to produce.

The club hierarchy are ready to back the Spanish coach in the summer transfer window in what promises to be a crunch 12 months for the former midfielder.

A new striker is priority for Arteta, with his side desperately short on attacking options in the crunch point of the season, after injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Athletic Club attacker Nico Williams is rumoured to be on Arteta's shortlist, with the Spain international having a £48.5m [$65m] release clause in Bilbao, and forward reinforcements are incoming based on Arteta's latest update.

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"If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no? The teams that win always have the best players," as per Sky Sports.

"What's clear with the amount of injuries we had in the front line is we need a goal threat and firepower. Understanding the context can change tomorrow, we cannot rely just on the numbers we had before.

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"We have to add goals, creativity, and we have to add numbers, that will be across different positions."

Who can Arsenal sign in 2025?

Multiple reports have linked Arteta with a host of new forwards - including Williams - alongside Sporting CP goal machine Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.

However, Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes could emerge as a fresh option, with the Brazil international rumoured to be seeking a way out of the Spanish capital.

Los Blancos are looking to bring in a fee of around £67m [£90m], which would be more than Williams, but less than Gyokeres.

Arteta is only expected to bring in one new forward, as he also aims to secure a reesh face in midfield, amid ongoing talks with Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi.

One midfielder who now looks set to stay at Arsenal is Thomas Partey with Arteta confirming positive discussions over extending his contract beyond the end of June.

"Our intention is very clear [with Partey]. Consistency-wise, it’s been his best season. The way he’s played, performed and his availability has been exceptional. He's a really important player for us."

A further update will land in the coming weeks, but the former Atletico Madrid star is unlikely to extend past 2026, with Jorginho and Kieran Tierney already confirming their club exits after the season finale on May 25.

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