Jamie Carragher has explained what he believes Mikel Arteta must do at Arsenal heading into the New Year.

The Gunners claimed a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town in the Premier League to secure three points in their final fixture of 2024. Arsenal will return to top-flight action on New Year's Day when they travel to face Brentford next week.

Arsenal are six points behind leaders Liverpool in the league table, with the Merseyside club also having a game in hand. Arteta and Co. will still believe they can win the Premier League this season, with all three cup competitions also still a possibility.

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The January transfer window is fast approaching, and Arsenal have been linked with several potential new signings to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season. Carragher believes that the Gunners will need new signings in 2025 but may have to wait until the summer to get the players that they need.

The former Liverpool defender has pointed to the recent injury to Bukayo Saka as evidence as to why Arteta must strengthen Arsenal's forward options next year. Carragher also compared the current Gunners squad to their title rivals, Liverpool and Chelsea, as to why new signings may be needed.

"Regardless of whether they miss out this season, Arsenal will need to freshen up in 2025. They are short in attacking areas when compared to Liverpool and Chelsea," Carragher told The Telegraph.

"Where [Arne] Slot has five attackers to choose from (when everyone is fit) – and many of them are of a different profile – Arteta has been too reliant on the same players, none more so than Bukayo Saka. Every side would miss a player of his class, but the reaction to Saka’s hamstring injury shows he has carried too much responsibility.

"Arteta needs at least two more top attacking players. I am not talking about back-ups in the event of injury, but starters who will keep the opposition manager guessing as to what the starting XI will be.

"For the last few transfer windows, Arteta has prioritised defenders. The theme of this season is whether the balance has tipped too far that way.

"It is a fair argument that something has been lost in attack in making Arsenal a more resolute side. The next phase of their development is to add goals while maintaining the security at the back which has been there recently."