Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal may have to BREAK their transfer budget in pursuit of a striker – with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko in their sights

Mikel Arteta hinted that Arsenal could smash their transfer budget this summer to end a five-year wait for silverware.

The Gunners have a big window ahead with a new striker at the top of sporting director Andrea Berta’s list.

Both Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are firmly on the north London club’s radar.

Either player would cost well in excess of £60million, in addition to the expected arrival of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad who reportedly has a £51m release clause.

Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match against Newcastle, Arteta said: ‘The budget is like when you have your wedding: you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and it’s never less, it’s always more.

‘When you build a house, it’s always more. Normally this happens. You prepare for different scenarios. Then unfortunate things happen.

Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is one of the striker’s on Arsenal’s radar this summer

A move for RB Leipzig hotshot Benjamin Sesko could cost Arsenal in excess of £60million

‘There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let’s see if we can do it.’

Berta, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was appointed in his new role in March to replace Edu. This summer will be his first transfer window at Arsenal.

When asked if he and Berta are on different pages in terms of transfers, Arteta added: ‘Well, if that happens, that means that we cannot explain ourselves well enough, and we are not clear enough on what we want. I guarantee you that hasn’t happened.

‘It didn’t happen in five and a half years with Edu, and I guarantee you with Andrea (that hasn’t happened). 

‘They (club hierarchy) are good to say, “Look, Mikel, this and this is what we need.” I said, “OK, go and do it.” And if (we) don’t, it’s because I will ask that many questions as well and we will do so much work that it will be so evident that this is what we don’t have to do.

‘Because as well, we have learned a lot. Some of them (signings) have worked really well and others haven’t. And from the ones (that haven’t worked) we have to learn from it to make sure that we make the right calls. We are all human beings and unfortunately, nobody has got a crystal ball here.’

Meanwhile, Kai Havertz could feature after returning from a hamstring tear he sustained in Arsenal’s February mid-season camp in Dubai.