Arsenal's owners are prepared to give Mikel Arteta significant backing in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The Gunners spent big last summer, but then failed to strengthen their squad in January.

How much money have Arsenal spent on transfers this season?

Arteta went on a spending spree in the summer, adding six players to his squad. These included big-money signings such as Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal ended up paying a total of £150m to bolster their ranks.

The majority of these signings have proven to be a hit, and many would have expected the north London club to strengthen again in January.

However, Arsenal only signed one player in the opening month of 2022, Auston Trusty, who was immediately loaned back to Colorado Rapids until July.

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What has O'Rourke said about Arsenal's summer plans?

It was a big call from Arteta to stand by his current squad in January without bringing in any fresh faces.

O'Rourke thinks things will be different in the summer, though, as he believes Arteta wants to be given money to spend by the club's hierarchy.

According to O'Rourke, Arsenal's board will provide funds for their Spanish manager when the transfer window re-opens.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think for Arsenal, Arteta has called on the club’s owners to back him again in the transfer market, and it does seem the Kroenkes are ready to do that because they can see progress being made by Arteta.”

Do Arsenal need to spend big this summer?

There have been some very positive signs at the Emirates Stadium this season, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard leading Arsenal's charge for a top four finish, and they are right in the mix for Champions League football heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

However, Arteta's squad is looking very thin at the moment, particularly after recent injuries to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey.

Arsenal also allowed the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Calum Chambers to leave the club in January, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari departed on loan.

This has left Arteta with a strong starting XI, but very little in terms of quality off the bench to help turn a game in the team's favour.

He may not need to spend as much as £150m again in the off-season, but it is important that Arteta adds strength in depth in key areas of the pitch ahead of next term, especially with the side set to compete in Europe again, which will mean that they have a more congested fixture list.