Arsenal continue to build something special on their pre-season tour of the United States as Mikel Arteta's side prepare to challenge Manchester City

When Pep Guardiola was in his last game of Premier League glory, he wanted to reiterate a message he had received Sky Sports News.

It was not a text or any other type of digital communication, but the statement of intent that Arsenal’s actions had transmitted loud and clear to Manchester City.

“If we are not ready to compete with them again, they will take our place,” Guardiola said. “Because I know the team, Arsenal, the institution, and I know Mikel. It will happen because he is a huge competitor.”

“Arsenal sent us a message and we took it on board. I have a few certainties in my life: I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. The other certainty is that with the age of Arsenal, with the manager they have and the way they have played these last two seasons, they will stay here for a very, very long time.”

In Los Angeles, where Arsenal await the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, a coveted £42m signing and a genuine coup, it is clear that their methodology has convinced Guardiola that they are on the verge of becoming champions.

Arteta’s side conceded fewer goals than any other Premier League team last season, their defence was elite – but he still identified a weakness.

There was no consistency at left-back, where four different players played. The excellent Jurriën Timber was sidelined in the first game with an ACL injury, Oleksandr Zinchenko was often exposed defensively and Jakub Kiwior did not provide as much support in attack as was necessary.

Quality and availability were an issue there and Arsenal have bolstered an already strong area with Calafiori, Italy’s rare gold dust at the Euros and the heart of Bologna’s brilliance last season.

Real Madrid tried to make one last attempt for the 22-year-old, but by then sporting director Edu had already closed the deal. In fact, most of the steps had been taken months in advance and the only reason Calafiori’s transfer was not finalised before the Euros was to respect the player’s wish to focus solely on the tournament.

He excelled in all his performances, sparking internal jokes at Arsenal about how his price would skyrocket. The hard work they put in ultimately allows Calafiori – given his age, high potential, versatility and ability to improve attacking play as well – to come back at a bargain price.

Arsenal can now find balance on both flanks. The mood in Los Angeles, at the opulent Four Seasons in Westlake Village, is one of certainty. They believe they will do it again, they will go further, they will get better.

Edu and Arteta are aware that they need to be more patient and thoughtful in the market, given that the pool of players who can take Arsenal to the next level is much smaller now than at the start of the process, or even last summer. Their standards, expectations and qualities are in a different zone.

A confident goalscorer who scores 30+ goals would be welcome, but this profile is the least crowded, most expensive and often unavailable for sale. That’s why so much work has gone into building a team of versatile, multifaceted players like Kai Havertz.

This will continue, especially as some major departures are expected. Emile Smith Rowe is set to join Fulham, which would be a club record.

Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah want more game time and could be allowed to leave if good offers materialise. So far there have been enquiries but no offers can be considered serious for the duo.

Arsenal are in an ideal situation: they have a clear vision, an excellent relationship between the manager and the sporting director, an efficient and sustainable process, and a strong team.

Edu likes to ask himself “what is success?”. The above can be considered as such and now it just needs to be complemented with more silverware.

They are focusing on marginal gains across the board, and there will also be an immediate boost in some cases like with Timber. He has looked at his best so far in pre-season – as he did in the US last summer – and it is hoped he will continue to show no signs of after-effects from his ACL injury.

Calafiori’s arrival raises the question of where Timber could play. Like so many other players on the team, he can fill multiple roles very well.

Arsenal continue to build something special – message delivered and received.

Arsenal pre-season schedule: Manchester United and Liverpool next

July 20: Arsenal 2-0 Leyton Orient
July 25: Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth
July 28:Arsenal vs Man Utd – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, kick-off 1am
August 1: Arsenal vs Liverpool – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, kick-off 00:30
August 7: Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 6pm
August 11: Arsenal – Lyon, Emirates Stadium, kick-off at 2pm