Mikel Arteta joined Arsenal from Everton in 2011 Photo: Twitter/Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta says he is confident Arsenal will bring in some fresh faces before the summer transfer window shuts next week.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been linked with Karim Benzema, Luiz Suarez, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Vicente Guaita in recent months but is yet to spend any money on new signings.

However, Arteta reckons there will be some new arrivals over the next week and also believes no big-name departures is a plus for the north London side this summer.

“It’s still going to happen,” said Arteta.

“Not letting any big players go this summer was important and we can only get better as a group as we’ve been playing together for a few years.

“A lot of stuff will take place at the last minute.”

Arteta also believes Arsenal are fighting for the Premier League crown alongside Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

“I think it’ll be a five-horse race,” he added.

“The way we ended last season was encouraging, but we need a good start and the next few weeks are really tough.

“If we don’t build momentum in those games it’ll be very difficult to climb that mountain again.

“Obviously, the longer it takes to win a trophy the harder it’s going to be, but we’ll be doing everything we can, that’s for sure.”