Mikel Arteta reiterated Friday that Arsenal are actively looking to sign a striker, admitting they “lack options” as the clock ticks down towards the end of the January transfer window.
Serious injuries to forwards Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka have added to concerns over Arsenal’s lack of goalscoring threat as they try to chase down Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners are the only club in the Premier League’s top six without a goalscorer in double figures — Kai Havertz has eight in the English top flight this season.
Arsenal manager Arteta was asked about the need for reinforcements ahead of his side’s trip to struggling Wolves on Saturday.
“We lost two very, very important players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus so we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the front line. It’s clear,” he said.
“If we can get the right player, that’s what we are actively looking at. Any player? No — someone that makes us better and has an impact in the team.”
He added: “Ideally we need some help because we were very short already and we’re even shorter but the team still copes with that. But we have to do what is right for the club.”
The transfer window shuts at 23:00 GMT on February 3.
Arteta said his side, who have finished as runners-up to Manchester City for the past two seasons, had improved since the start of the campaign.
And he believes they are realistic title challengers to Liverpool, who are six points clear at the top with a game in hand.
Last weekend Arne Slot’s side scored two goals in added time to beat Brentford, while Arsenal let slip a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa.
“The margins are really, really small,” said Arteta. “You could see how things could have gone last weekend and the turning points are minimal and the gap certainly looks very different.
“We have to be at it, we have to do what’s in our hands and there’s still a long, long way to go.”
AFP
