Arteta urges Arsenal board to show ambition as Rogers emerges as summer target

Mikel Arteta has publicly pressured Arsenal’s ownership to invest heavily this summer, naming the need for ‘important decisions’ to take the club to ‘another level’ after their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has emerged as one of the manager’s primary targets as he looks to build on Arsenal’s first Premier League title in 22 years.

Rogers, who impressed again for Unai Emery’s Villa side this season, appeals to Arteta because of his versatility — the England international can operate as a number ten or wide left, a position Arteta is keen to strengthen. The 22-year-old is also attracting interest from PSG, and Villa may be open to selling in order to balance their books, though no decision has been made.

Arteta’s comments after the final carried clear intent. Having delivered the league title, the Spaniard appears to be signalling not just a desire for reinforcements but a potential shift in style as Arsenal chase further trophies — particularly in Europe, where their record remains a sore point. The club has now lost five European finals dating back to 1995, including the 2006 Champions League final, the 2019 Europa League final, and Sunday’s defeat to PSG.

Last summer Arsenal spent £250 million on a significant squad overhaul that brought in Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, and Christian Nørgaard, while a permanent deal for Piero Hincapié is set to be completed. This window is expected to be more targeted, with quality over volume the priority.

To fund new arrivals, Arsenal will look to trim their squad. Gabriel Martinelli has been identified as a possible departure, and there is interest in Gabriel Jesus, though the Brazil striker is in no hurry to leave with one year remaining on his contract. Any addition of a new number nine would likely depend on one of the existing forwards moving on.

Arsenal’s European pedigree remains modest relative to their domestic standing — their only continental trophies are the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the 1970 Fairs Cup — and Arteta has made clear he wants to change that trajectory.