Mikel Arteta has discussed the importance of squad depth at Arsenal as the club look to compete on all fronts this season.
Arsenal have been active in the transfer market to spend more than £200m on new additions, including the £105m club-record arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham and signings of Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
The Gunners are also closing in on the loan signing of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, as the north Londoners look to provide competition and cover for Aaron Ramsdale.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League season opener against Nottingham Forest this weekend, Arteta spoke on the importance of strength in depth as his side look to compete for the title and in the Champions League this season.
“We’ve been trying to increase the depth of the squad with the ability and we want to be more flexible,” the Spaniard told his pre-match press conference.
“We want to have interactions with players that can make us better. I think you have to treat everyone with the sense that they are important.
“Football is a collective sport with just 11 playing and the other 11 players that most of the time aren’t happy. But it’s about how they deal with that.
“We play every three days and the role changes. It tells you a lot about the human being and the professional. I want players that are happy when the team wins because it’s a team sport.”
