Mikel Arteta has urged the Arsenal supporters to keep perspective on the strength of the squad following the close of the transfer window.

The summer business came to an end on Tuesday night after a Deadline Day in which the Gunners made sales but never seriously moved to strengthen further.

The club were in the market for Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez over the course of the window, though the waiting game for both ended in frustration as they stayed at their clubs in Spain.

The Premier League champions went into the summer with plans to make a marquee signing in attack to elevate the squad to the next level.

However, Christos Tzolis was the only arrival in forward areas, while Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were all sold.

Arteta accepted that fans would always want more in the transfer market, but also pointed to the strength of options the Premier League champions have at their disposal in a passionate defence of his squad.

“That’s human nature, I think,” he said.

“When you talk to people and you ask the people, normally it’s: ‘Ok, what is on your bucket list?’

“People write a lot about the bucket list. Sometimes we forget the reverse bucket list, which is the things that you already have in your life that are incredible, but you put so much emphasis on them that nothing seems to be enough.

“It’s not only in football, it happens in life and I think it’s very important to value.

“That’s what I said about the squad and how much I love our players. That I really value what we have, what we have created together. The ambition is great.

“To have ambition always to be better, especially to evolve the things we already have within the club that for sure has to be there.

“But listen - do not lose perspective to what we already have which is amazing and we are very lucky to have.”

Arteta was also adamant that his squad have gone into the new season better equipped than they were 12 months ago.

Arsenal’s defence has been bolstered by the arrival of Ezri Konsa, covering for the absence of William Saliba, while Bruno Guimaraes is a top signing in midfield.

Asked whether the north Londoners were now a stronger outfit, Arteta replied: “Yes I do.

“This is what I feel. Now we have to prove it. I think we are better equipped. I think we have more players available than what we had at the start of last season.

“We have increased the quality and we have increased the leadership in the team as well which is very important.”