MIKEL ARTETA is ready to splash the cash this summer to transform Arsenal back into Champions League regulars.
The Spaniard was left pulling his hair out at the end of last season as his young Gunners squad blew it.
Despite being in the top four for the majority of the run-in, they squandered the chance of earning the extra millions from Champions League revenue with a late slump – and were pipped by bitter rivals Tottenham.
Arteta and Arsenal, who have discovered they will travel to Crystal Palace on the opening day of the Premier League season, will have to make do with the Europa League this term.
But he hopes to have a whole new-look side at his disposal as he continues his summer overhaul.
Arsenal have already signed Porto playmaker Fabio Vieira after agreeing a £30million fee to fend off Premier League rivals.
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The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is set to become Mikel Arteta’s first major signing of the summer.
The Gunners have acted swiftly to snap up the exciting youngster ahead of neighbours Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool.
It seems Arsenal are ready to spring another Vieira on the Premier League.
And 26 years after Patrick Vieira took North London by storm, Arsenal are hoping that the Portuguese Under-21 international can be as successful as his namesake.
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Vieira has only played two seasons in the Porto first team yet has already earned comparisons to Bruno Fernandes in Portugal and is hoping to take the Emirates by storm.
And Arteta is hoping that Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus will be joining him in attack.
They have submitted a £50m bid for the Brazilian star.
The Gunners previously bid £30m for Jesus, 25, but are now set to match City's asking price with the forward said to be keen on the move to link back up with Arteta, who he worked with at the Etihad.
The Arsenal boss also wanted to reunite with Jesus and made the Brazilian one of his transfer priorities this summer after seeing Alexandre Lacazette leave.
And Arteta is still pushing to sign Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans despite already completing a deal for Vieira – and they still see the Belgian as a top priority.
They also remain confident that they can agree a price with the Foxes in the next 48 hours.
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