Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has warned fans he'll need multiple windows to get the squad to the standard where he wants.

Which means it will be 2022 — at the absolute earliest — before the Spaniard feels he has a group capable of mounting a title challenge.

Arteta, who took over at the Emirates little more than 11 months ago, said: “It takes a few windows at least to rebuild a squad.

“And to establish yourself to compete at the level of certain clubs in this league, which is near 100 points, again it takes time.

“In football, time is very precious and people are very impatient.

“But if you don't respect the processes and you ask certain people to do certain things when the foundations are not there, it's a really dangerous thing to do as well.

“I know we all want to see — and I am the first one who wants to see — Arsenal at the top of the league and my only intention every time I prepare for a match is that.

“After, where we get, time will tell us.

“There are still a lot of things that are going to happen and we have to prepare for difficult moments.

“We know that the challenge and the responsibility is to turn it around as quickly as possible and get the club fighting where it belongs."