Mikel Arteta will not guarantee Arsenal will sign Nicolas Pepe replacement

Mikel Arteta believes the current transfer market is tougher than ever, predicting a “very powerful” end to the window, but offered no guarantees Arsenal would sign a replacement for Nicolas Pepe.

The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table and are the only club to boast a perfect start to the season following their win at Bournemouth last week.

Recruiting early has been key to their strong opening, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko signed before a ball was kicked in earnest.

Arsenal’s business may not be complete, however, as they continue to be linked with a winger, including Pedro Neto of Wolves.

Asked what the transfer window is like at the moment, Arteta replied: “If you look at the players who are coming, the amount of money spent, the level that the squads already have and what they are adding it’s something that I haven’t experienced in this league.

“You saw that yesterday with the transfers and I think it’s going to be very powerful.

“Yes (it is tougher to make signings) but the record in terms of performances that the leagues have produced last year it’s the highest ever. When you look at the points you need to achieve certain things it’s never happened before.

“The level has raised so much for every team in this league and you can already see that in these first few games with surprises and results.”

The chances of Arsenal bringing in a new wide player have been increased by the fact club-record signing Pepe has been loaned out to Nice.

The Ivory Coast international has struggled since joining from Lille for a reported £72million in 2019 and he has been moved on after asking Arteta for more game time.

“I don’t know,” Arteta replied when asked if the size of the fee had impacted on