Mikel Arteta 'disappointed' by Arsenal transfer window amid Liverpool Premier League title race
Mikel Arteta has admitted he is disappointed at Arsenal's failure to land a striker in the January transfer window as his side continues to chase Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Arteta had long made clear that he wanted to add attacking reinforcements to his squad during the winter window. The Gunners boss is currently without Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal did see a bid rejected for Ollie Watkins, believed to have been worth around £40m, by Aston Villa last week. While Mathys Tel, who joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan instead, was also linked with a move to the Emirates.
READ MORE: Liverpool wonderkid sold for £15m sends four-word message after scoring for seventh-tier club
READ MORE: 'I don't understand' - Arne Slot calls for major squad change after 'hardest' Liverpool decisions
The Gunners are currently six points behind Liverpool in the table, although Arne Slot’s side do have a game in hand on the North London club. But speaking ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg against Newcastle United on Wednesday night, Arteta spoke of his frustration at his side’s lack of transfer activity.
“We had a clear intention, which is always there is a window open to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it,” he said.
“We haven’t achieved it, so we are disappointed in that sense, but as well, we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that, and I think we will.”
Asked if he saw it as a gamble, Arteta said: “It’s not a gamble, it’s reality. I think we have to face the reality as well that we have.
“So we’re going to have to evolve there as well and have more and have more players from the academy and the ones that are here to be fitter longer.
“That’s a job that is permanent, and it keeps evolving, and we need to be on our toes. We’re going to have to be very flexible in the front line, and now the ones that we have and are fit, make sure that they stay fit and they keep contributing.”
