Transfer news: Mikel Arteta 'sure' Arsenal will land summer targets

The Gunners have made moves for Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez

Arsene Wenger and Luis Suarez (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal vice-captain Mikel Arteta is confident the club can land the new signings over the closing weeks of the summer transfer window which will help fire them to success next season.

The Gunners showed some form in patches on their return from a gruelling Asia tour during the Emirates Cup at the weekend, coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Rafael Benitez's Napoli on Saturday but then throwing away a 1-0 half-time lead against Galatasaray when a double from former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba secured the pre-season tournament trophy for the Turks.

Much of the headlines, though, have been dominated by Arsenal's protracted pursuit of Liverpool's want-away striker Luis Suarez, with the Anfield club insisting their star man is not for sale and rejecting a £40million plus £1 bid, which it was believed would trigger the Uruguayan's release clause.

So far, Arsenal's only confirmed signing this summer has been France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo, a free transfer from Auxerre who was handed a start in attack against Galatasaray.

Spaniard Arteta, however, believes the club are working hard behind the scenes to help strengthen the squad ahead of their crucial Champions League play-off later this month.

"If the club can target players who will improve the team they are going to be very welcome because that is what we want - a better team, better players to compete and win trophies," said Arteta, himself a deadline-day signing from Everton in August 2011.

"The club is working on that. It is in their hands and I am sure they are going to do it."

Wenger feels it will not be long before Sanogo is appreciated as a shrewd bit of summer business.

The 6ft 3ins forward certainly cut an imposing figure when leading the Arsenal attack yesterday, if failing to finish off a great chance to open his account when the ball broke at the edge of the penalty area in the first few minutes against Galatasaray.

Last season's top scorer Theo Walcott - whose curling shot across the penalty area ended up opening the scoring for Arsenal yesterday when it dropped into the far corner - believes there is more to come from his new team-mate.

Speaking to http://www.arsenal.com, the England forward said: "He is a strong boy. He has only had a couple of training sessions with us and I think he will do very well for us.

"There is a lot of competition for that position. I think he showed his qualities in patches, definitely."

Arsenal must now regroup for next weekend's final pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Helsinki, before the action kicks off for real with the visit of Aston Villa on August 17.

Walcott is confident Arsenal can hit the ground running to carry on from the superb 10-match unbeaten run at the end of last season which saw them snatch fourth place from north London rivals Tottenham.

"It (the Emirates Cup) is good fitness work as well and that is the whole point of it all. Come the start of the season, we will be ready," Walcott added.

"We have got another couple of weeks of training before the start of the season and everyone will be sharp - trust me. It is a big wait."

Arsenal are shortly expected to confirm the sales of Ivory Coast forward Gervinho to Roma and Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh to newly-promoted Crystal Palace.

PA