Mikel Arteta is expecting Arsenal to be busy in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners trimmed their squad significantly back in the January, allowing five players to leave, as they were able to focus solely on the Premier League.
Next season, however, Arsenal should be back in European competition as they look set to qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League.
And asked if he expected a busy summer, Arteta said: “I am expecting so, yes.
“I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot.
“If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers.
“You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time.”
Arsenal remain in the driving seat to qualify for the Champions League this season. They are currently fifth in the Premier League, but are level on points with Tottenham above them and have a game in hand.
They suffered a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday, however, losing 3-0 and that that increased the scrutiny on them Gunners ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brighton.
“The expectations have risen and we have to manage that - this is great,” said Arteta.
“It’s much better than being in a completely different position. So we have to embrace that challenge and be aware of that. That’s our job and our responsibility.
“The expectations have risen and we have to manage that. This is great. It’s much better than being in a completely different position. So we have to embrace that challenge and be aware of that. That’s our job and our responsibility.”
