Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reiterated the club’s ambition in the transfer market amid growing speculation linking the Gunners with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.

The Brazilian international has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, with reports suggesting Arsenal are keeping a close eye on his contract situation at the Spanish club as they seek to bolster their attacking options.

Arteta addressed the speculation after Arsenal’s commanding 4-1 victory over Girona in a pre-season friendly. While refusing to comment directly on Vinicius, the Spaniard made it clear that the North London club remain active in the market and are determined to strengthen the squad before the new season.

“Well we are really active, trying to improve and evolve the team. That’s clear,” Arteta said.

“We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously, because we want to get better like anybody else.

“And you can just see it. The transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing – we won’t sit still. And we are very ambitious in what we want to do.

“The margins are very small. And because we want to get better and the level is going to increase, we need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team, to have bigger margins. And that’s the way we have to think.”

Arteta’s comments are expected to fuel further speculation over Arsenal’s transfer plans as the club continues to pursue reinforcements ahead of the new campaign.

The Gunners have been linked with several high-profile players this summer, with Vinicius among the biggest names reportedly on their radar should an opportunity arise.