There was a noticeable change in tone during the Emirates address of Mikel Arteta on Sunday.
Last season, after he brought Manchester City to the last day and could miss the title of the Premier League with two points, the Arsenal -Baas was emotional but indignant.
With a radiant smile, Arteta said in May 2024: “Don't be satisfied, because we want much more than that and we're going to get it.”
Twelve months later on the Emirates-Pitch again after he had confirmed a third-successful premeclator in second place, an anger and frustration that the words of Arteta in the aftermath of a 1-0 win over Newcastle was balanced.
The Spaniard said: “We had a dream, it was to bring the big trophies for you. Unfortunately we couldn't do it.
“But make sure that haunting that dream does not become blurry.
“Make sure we chase that dream with enthusiasm and positivity for next season.”
In anticipation of one of the biggest summers in the club, Arteta then did something that he was previously reluctant in public: calling out the owners.
Arteta said to Sky Sports: “Finish the season, go to the beach, enjoy a few days and make sure those upstairs do what they have to do.”
It was clear, unmistakable and brutal bone that the sign will remind how important this transfer window is and how they cannot afford to make mistakes.
In a clear message to Stan and Josh Kroenke – the holders of the wallet in Noord -London – Arteta knows that he is a few missing pieces from leading the club to great honor, and they have to walk through the door in the coming weeks and months.
Otherwise, for the first time in his five and a half -year reign, the loyal and loving fan base so far could turn against their beloved coach and demand change in pursuing titles.
To prevent that, Arteta will not only be ruthless with income, but also expenses.
Nobody will be safe for the heel, even previously reliable faces.
He admitted that in his press conference he needs players after the new broadcast: “We need players because the team is really short, and moreover we lose four or five players who will end [their] Contracts and their loans are completed.
“So we have to be sharp, very disciplined in what we want to do and ensure that we are strong next season.”
That “four or five” include two Loanese – keeper Neto from Bournemouth and winger Raheem Sterling from Chelsea.
Sterling is expected to extend his time in Arsenal, but will remain in the dark in the dark during his future in England with a lack of communication from Parent Club Chelsea during this campaign.
His loan was considered a disappointment, in which Arteta expects a much greater impact from a player from whom he learned to love during his assistant coach Days in Man City, so that he brought the deadline day in a late call to add another body to the team last summer.
However, there are people who will rightly claim that Sterling has had little chance to build every kind of momentum on the field, even during Bukayo Saka's three months of injury from December to March, starting with only seven games in all competitions since the turn of the year.
Arteta has already gone further from the 30-year-old and chooses to include him in what his last chance would have been to play for the Emirates fans last weekend.
While 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has proven that he can offer Saka on the right wing, Arteta will insist on a left wing player this summer, which will threaten the starting areas for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
If the top goal Nico Williams is signed at Athletic Bilbao, Trossard could be moved to raise money – the Belgian has only one year about his current contract and is linked to a Saudi movement.
Artetas ruthlessness is also needed at left back. The return from Kieran Tierney to Celtic is expected to be completed soon with his deal that ends at the end of the term, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund after losing his place at Academy Star Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The leadership of Ukrainian leadership, influence in the dressing room and the positional flexibility is highly appreciated by Arteta, but again, with 12 months over the deal of the 28-year-old, this may be a chance to cash in on a player to which they spent £ 35 million from City in the summer of 2022.
And then there is the dilemma in midfield. On the field with his family and friends after the tone victory, Jorginho, 33, as if he quickly said goodbye with his contract and a chance to return to his birthplace, Brazil, to see the rest of his career.
Thomas Partey is in a similar position, but sports director Andrea Berta is supposed to explore a contract extension for the 31-year-old, even agreed with a £ 51 million deal for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
Arteta admitted last week that he knew that Arsenal's team was too small before even started this season.
So, with five possibly out the door, at least five will be aimed to replace them.
Zubimendi for £ 51 million. Williams for £ 50 million? Sporting Lisbon -striker Viktor Gyokeres for around £ 60 million? Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia for around £ 25 million?
This will be a summer of great change in Arsenal, and Arteta knows that it is necessary to achieve great things.