Mikel Arteta vows to take Gunners to ‘next level’ with £200m plan

Arsenal boss insists club must build on much-improved season

Mikel Arteta has detailed his plan to take Arsenal to the “next level” in this summer’s transfer window.

The Gunners are preparing a budget of £200million to once again take the Premier League title fight to Manchester City, as well as competing in the Champions League after six years away.

Standard Sport understand Declan Rice is their top target while Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is also of interest, with Granit Xhaka set to depart to clear space for Arteta’s midfield revamp.

Arteta told reporters ahead of facing Nottingham Forest that this coming window will be “crucial” for the club’s ambitions.

“To go to the next level is going to be a crucial summer for us,” he said. “That is for sure.

“First of all to make sure that we maintain everything that we have at the club right now.

“That we maintain expectations, that we maintain enthusiasm and energy that is around the place and we have a proper preparation to fulfil the objectives and the challenges that we will have next season.”

Another potential target is Joao Cancelo, the Manchester City full-back unwanted by both City and loan club Bayern Munich.

Arsenal are thought to be interested in the Portuguese player, who would not come cheap.