Mikel Arteta opens up on failed Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been asked about the club’s failed pursuit of Mykhaylo Mudryk for the first time.

The Gunners had been locked in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk for the last few weeks over a deal for the winger. Though Arsenal were unwilling to meet a price-tag potentially eclipsing €100m, they were still confident of reaching an agreement.

But their plans were scuppered when Chelsea swooped in and matched Shakhtar’s asking price on Saturday night, swiftly confirming Mudryk’s signing on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Tottenham in the north London derby, Arteta was asked how he felt about the club’s top transfer target being snatched away from them.

“I am happy with the players we have,” Arteta said. “We always try to improve the squad. We have to be consistent with the targets we want. The club is the first one that is trying, but I think as well we have to have some discipline.

“We can get those players [that we already have] better so let’s focus on that. We had injuries which are not helpful but we go [again] tomorrow, we go day by day. The window is open and we try to improve the team. The club is willing, they have my support and we’ll try and do it together.”