Mikel Arteta was under no illusions that Arsenal had to strengthen if they were to truly compete at the top end of the Premier League.
Speaking after the Gunners missed out on European football for the first time this century, he said: “They're going to get better and they're going to strengthen, so we need to get better.”
Arsenal look set to be active when it comes to arrivals, with Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares all close to signing on the dotted line.
But it will also be imperative for the best players already at Arteta’s disposal to stay at the Emirates for the next stage of the project.
Emile Smith Rowe emerged as one of those last term, becoming a key figure for the Arsenal boss in an impressive second half of the season.
The 20-year-old could be primed for an even bigger role next term after Martin Odegaard returned to Real Madrid following his loan spell.
However, his future remains a source of speculation. With just two years remaining on the contract he signed as a youngster, some of their Premier League rivals think it’s time to swoop.
Aston Villa have already launched two official bids for the midfielder, with a third expected to be lodged in the coming weeks.
The first pair have swiftly been rejected, but there is clearly hope on the Villa side that a deal could be completed.
Arsenal hope to tie the academy graduate to a new long-term deal, but as of yet, the two parties have failed to agree to terms.
Arteta has made his stance clear claiming “Emile has earned the right to look at that situation because of the performances that he has produced.
“He's very much engaged and wants to continue with us, that's for sure."
And Smith Rowe’s verdict on Arteta points to the fact that he would like to remain under his guidance, previously heaping praise on his “amazing” tactics.
“We’re definitely going in the right direction. With the team we’ve got, I feel like we’re destined for great things,” Smith Rowe said earlier this year.
“The manager’s tactics are amazing, too. It’s the little details.
“He’ll tell us how certain moments will go down, how the opposition will react to certain movements we make, and it’ll happen, exactly as he said it.
“When you see little things like that work, it makes you realise how experienced he is, and how much of a top manager he really is.”
Until he agrees to terms on a new contract, the doubts and Aston Villa’s interest will remain, but Smith Rowe has already hinted that he believes the best place to continue his development is London Colney.
