Despite a strong performance against Manchester City, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expresses disappointment over the club's inability to sign a new striker during the January transfer window. Arteta acknowledges the impact of injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka and the importance of remaining disciplined in their transfer approach. While the Gunners missed out on Ollie Watkins, Arteta remains confident in the existing squad and looks ahead to the crucial League Cup semifinal second leg against Newcastle.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment over the club's inability to secure a new striker before the transfer window closed on Monday. Despite submitting a £60-million bid for England forward Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, the Gunners were unsuccessful in their pursuit. With long-term injuries to key attackers Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal 's forward line faced significant concerns.
Heading into Wednesday's League Cup semifinal second leg against Newcastle, Arteta acknowledged the frustration surrounding the lack of transfer activity. 'We talked very openly about the intention to improve the squad if we had the capacity. With players with injuries, we've been impacted and we haven't achieved it,' Arteta stated during a press conference on Tuesday. 'We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players. We couldn't do it for certain reasons and we have to accept it. It was a combination of things. We have to be very disciplined with that as well.' The January transfer window unfolded without Arsenal's former sporting director Edu, who stepped down in November after playing a pivotal role in the club's transfer strategy. Despite the unsuccessful striker hunt, Arteta maintained that he had no grievances regarding Arsenal's recruitment process. 'When you try your best and do things with the right process, and after you don't achieve it, OK. For sure there are things to learn from it but now we have to move on,' he emphasized. While Arsenal must navigate the challenge of an underpowered attack for the time being, their recent performance against Manchester City demonstrated resilience. Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri both found the net in Arsenal's emphatic 5-1 victory, leaving Arteta optimistic about his squad's capabilities. 'From now there is no discussion on it and we focus on improving the group we have. It is remarkable what the team has done. I have full faith in them,' he asserted. 'We are going to have to be flexible in the front line. We have to make sure they stay fit, contributing, and can play that position. At some point we will have to try something different.' Facing a 2-0 deficit from the first leg against Newcastle, Arsenal must overcome a significant obstacle at St James' Park on Wednesday. Arteta acknowledged the challenging nature of facing Newcastle, stating, 'They are a very difficult team to play against. Obviously this season two very different games.' However, he expressed hope that the City victory would serve as a confidence boost as Arsenal aim for their first League Cup final appearance since 2018. 'When you compare the emotional state of the team after the first leg and now after Man City it is very different. Next stop is the final. We know how big that is,' Arteta remarked, emphasizing the club's aspiration to lift the trophy for the first time since 1993. 'The buzz the City game gave us and the manner we did it. It is momentum. It is time for full gas and go for it.
ARSENAL MIKEL ARTETA TRANSFER WINDOW STRIKER OLLIE WATKINS INJURIES NEWCASTLE LEAGUE CUP
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