Mikel Arteta has revealed he is already planning “two or three different scenarios” when it comes to Arsenal’s summer transfer.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that they are to allow the summer transfer window to be moved and has recommended player contracts be extended until the campaign ends.
Arsenal currently have Dani Ceballos and Cedric Soares on loan while they also have the option to sign Pablo Mari. Arteta said last month that they need to sit down with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the end of the campaign and thrash out a new deal.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal boss said: “I’m planning two or three different scenarios that we can face. Depending on one of those three, we will be able to do more, less or nothing.
“We have to react daily. We don’t know what the financial situation is going to be, we don’t know the rules, the timing, the window. There are so many things we cannot control at the moment.”
Arteta has conceded the connection between Arsenal, its players and fans was in a “difficult state” when he arrived at the Emirates.
Arsenal were without as many as 10 first-team players when Arteta joined during the congested Christmas period, but there were signs of momentum building before the coronavirus crisis brought a halt to the season.
“I went through a lot when I got here… I had eight or 10 players injured, and there were a lot of issues to deal with. The connection between fans, players and club was in a difficult state at that moment. We had to change that energy, the belief and the commitment from the players.
“I was very pleased because everyone was on board with what we were doing. We started to win three or four games in a row and there was a much more positive mindset around the place.”
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The former Manchester City assistant had enjoyed an encouraging start to his first managerial role after taking over from Unai Emery, but he admits the younger members of his team will be finding the current situation harder to handle.
“The experienced players have families around them and kids that are occupying them. Those of us with children only realise now how hard it is at home when we are away from our wives!
“For the young players, some of them are alone in their apartments and there are long days. We have to be caring for them and we have to keep them busy and try to do things to improve their development and education.
“I like to make them all think and assess themselves as people, too. I’d only been here for three months, so it’s been a chance to get to know them a little bit more, break some boundaries. We’re having some really good conversations.”
