Mikel Arteta [Will-Palmer/SPP]

THE rumour mill is playing its part in whipping fans into a frenzy ahead of the summer transfer window, and now it’s Arsenal’s turn to deliver and finally forge a squad capable of winning the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta has stressed the importance of beating Newcastle this Sunday when his side sign off their home fixtures for the season in front of what will ultimately be a frustrated Emirates crowd.

With one final game away at Southampton to follow, there are many ready to toss yet another trophyless campaign on the scrapheap. Arteta, though, is demanding that his players go out on a winning note as the club looks to finish as runners-up for the third season in a row.

“We have a massive game now against Newcastle,” insisted the Gunners boss. “We cannot be the best so we have to make sure that we are the best of the rest. And against Newcastle, we have the opportunity to wrap that up.”

The transfer window will open for 10 days from Sunday, June 1 in a bid to help teams competing in this summer’s Club World Cup. It will close on Tuesday June 10, before reopening on Monday, June 16 until Monday September 1.

Arsenal find themselves in a very healthy position regarding the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules (PSR) – and some are now expecting the club to spend big.

They are said to be confident of signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad having already agreed to meet the midfielder’s £50.5m (€60m) release clause.

But the signing that Gooners are very much expecting is a striker, and the club’s hierarchy finally look set to answer those demands with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko potential targets.

Arteta hinted at pending reinforcements on Sunday after seeing his side battle back from 2-0 down at Anfield to draw 2-2 with Liverpool.

The Spaniard made it clear the Gunners needed “something else” apart from getting their injured players back out onto the pitch if they are going to challenge for titles.

He said: “At the highest level we can compete against any team in the world, and we have shown that now for the last two, three seasons. Against the top six, I think we haven’t lost a single game, so that tells you, as a team, we are very, very consistent.

“But actually to win it; and win, win, win, win, win, we’re going to need something else apart from availability, [there are] certain demands and [we need to] make sure that we don’t talk about reaction, because I hate that word.”