Gunners pledge busy summer
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Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has promised a busy few months in the transfer market with the club keen to bolster its squad after what he said had been a profoundly disappointing season.
Gazidis said shortcomings of the team, which finished fourth in the English Premier League and a sixth successive season without a trophy, had to be acknowledged and rectified.
"It is going to be an active summer. I expect to be busy and (manager) Arsene (Wenger) expects to be busy," Gazidis told a meeting of the Arsenal Supporters Trust at the Emirates Stadium in London on Monday. "We are working hard during this close season - very hard."
Asked if the club had spoken to anybody so far in the transfer market, Gazidis replied: "Yes, many people."
However, he declined to elaborate on who and also refused to answer questions on the futures of midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri who have been linked with moves to other clubs.
"Coming off the end of the season, I can't say anything other than, like you, I share a sense of profound disappointment. We had a season that promised a great deal, which looked as though it could turn into a very special season for us, but in the end a familiar story began to tell," he said.
Arsenal had some successes last season, beating Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea at home, and spoke of winning a quadruple of trophies in February.
But then, in quick succession, Arsenal lost the League Cup final to Birmingham City, was knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona and ended the season with a string of losses and draws to finish 12 points behind champion United.
Gazidis said it was as hard for him as for any other Arsenal fan to watch the last few games of the season.
Close season
"It is very clear that we had some shortcomings and during this close season we are going to see some turnover of players, some new signings coming in, and some of our existing squad going out. It will be a busy close season for the club."
Gazidis stressed that new signings had to be made within the club's resources, a policy that has angered some supporters who have looked enviously at rivals Chelsea and Manchester City that have relied on rich benefactors to bankroll player transfers.
"In order for the club to be the best that it can be and in order to deliver on its values and to deliver the excellence that we expect, it also has to be a good and sustainable business over the long term," Gazidis said.
Gazidis said the Gunners' spending policy had not been changed by the takeover of the club by United States investor Stan Kroenke: "With respect to Stan, we have someone who understands the club."
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