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Mikel Arteta has promised Arsenal WILL deliver big-name signings this summer - but warned they will all be last-minute deals.

Arsene Wenger has left the club's fans nervous and impatient as the pursuit of their No1 target, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, has turned into a drawn-out transfer saga.

Gunners' boss Wenger, does not appear to have anything else in the immediate pipeline, even though the club boasted of new “financial firepower” at the start of the summer that would allow them to buy, and pay the huge wages of, A-list players.

Ex-Everton midfielder Arteta was part of Arsenal’s “trolley-dash” panic two years ago, when Wenger did his business at the last minute, acquiring the underwhelming likes of Park Chu-Young and Andre Santos in the last two days of the window.

But the Spaniard is more relaxed about this summer's window.

Even though the deals may again happen late - the Gunners have yet to qualify for the Champions League group stage, with the second leg of a play-off to be staged less than week before the window closes - he expects the club to deliver on their promises.

(Image: Lintao Zhang)

Arteta said: “It will happen. I have no doubts about it. It takes time but I know the boss is working really hard on it, and the board as well. It will happen for sure.

“I am very convinced but the great players normally come at the end of the transfer window. The clubs work hard to keep their best players and I think Arsenal will do well in the transfer window.

“I think we are going to start the season with new faces. That is what we are all hoping for. That will give us a big boost and everyone is very positive.

“We need to close the gap with the teams that are trying to win the titles. We have been too far in the last few seasons. We will start and see how it goes. We won’t be as far this season.”

Arteta claimed during Arsenal’s Asia tour that it was “about time” they made big signings and seemed almost exasperated and fed-up about the lack of activity.

But he has clearly had some reassurances and now seems confident.

There is a growing belief at Arsenal that they can do the Suarez deal, despite Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insisting the controversial Uruguayan is not for sale.

The saga has turned nasty after Rodgers accused the Gunners of lacking class, while Suarez may resort to legal action and will consider asking for a transfer to get himself out of Anfield.

Suarez and his advisers believe they were given assurances that he could go if any club in the Champions League offered more than £35m and also activated a £40m clause in his contract.

Liverpool insist the clause does not entitle him to a move.

It has left the affair deadlocked - and Arsenal fans nervous - but Arteta has no doubt that his club will challenge for silverware next season.

(Image: Clive Brunskill)

Besides Suarez, the north Londoners are confident of strengthening in other areas throughout the squad - although their fans will probably only believe it when they see the new signings holding the shirt.

Arteta added: “If the club can target players who will improve the team they are going to be very welcome because that is what we want - a better team, better players to compete and win trophies.

“The club is working on that, it is in their hands and I am sure they are going to do it. We have two weeks to go until the start of the season.”

Arsenal face big-spending Manchester City in Helsinki on Saturday in another friendly.

Arteta believes this past weekend's Emirates Cup and their pre-season training will help them hit the ground running - vital with that Champions League tie coming up.

The 31-year-old added: “We have another good test against City then we start and the schedule will be really tight over the next two or three weeks. We know that we need to start really well from the start.

“We can’t afford to drop points as we have done at the start of the last couple of seasons. We will start by hitting the ground running.

“But I think we can be better this season. We know each other better and the things we are doing right in the games we seem very comfortable and compact.

“In the Emirates Cup, our fitness levels dropped in the last 20 or 25 minutes. But that is normal at this stage.”