Mikel Arteta says must continue to try and close the gap on following confirmation that will join the Premier League leaders this summer.
City have won a two-year long battle to sign the 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker, seeing off interest from , Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid having agreed a deal in principle to bring him to the Etihad.
With City and Liverpool dominating the Premier League title race again this season, Haaland’s arrival could widen the gap between the top two and the chasing pack with a centre forward perhaps the only missing piece in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Arteta however expects all the sides at the top of the table to strengthen heavily this summer, insisting Arsenal have plans underway to ensure they are not left behind.
Asked about Haaland’s imminent arrival in Manchester, which was confirmed by City this week, Arteta told a press conference: ‘We expect every team is going to reinforce and get better every single year.
‘It has been the case the last three or four years in particular. The standards and the levels of the top teams in the league is unprecedented in Premier League history.
‘That is he level and it will only get more difficult and that is the planning we have to do it to try and bet at that level.’
Haaland’s arrival at City will raise further doubts over the future of Gabriel Jesus, who is on Arsenal’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
Jesus’ representative, Marcelo Pettinati, has revealed a move to Arsenal is a ‘serious possibility’ after positive discussions with the Gunners – although he added there are six other clubs also in the running.
Arteta however refused to discuss the club’s interest in the Brazil international.
‘You know that I don’t talk about any players that are not with us,’ Arteta said.
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