Mikel Arteta has admitted that he is 'disappointed' with Arsenal's January transfer business. The Gunners boss was hoping to add a striker to his squad before the deadline.

Arteta has been in the market for a new frontman after long-term injuries to the likes of gabriel Jesus and Bakayo Saka. Arsenal have long admired Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but that was never going to happen this month.

Arsenal pushed until deadline day to secure a new frontman. Ollie Watkins emerged as their No.1 target but Aston Villa rejected a £60million bid with their rivals unwilling to lose the England striker after selling Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr.

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It left Arteta frustrated that he couldn't add to his ranks as Arsenal look to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit against Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday night.

"We had a clear intention… we have not achieved it," Arteta said in his press conference ahead of tomorrow night's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. "We are disappointed in that sense."

"But we are aware that we only want to bring certain types of players, so we have to be disciplined."

That reflects a report in The Athletic that the Spaniard and the club were 'aligned in the view' that the Gunners should not simply sign a 'body'. Instead, they wanted a No.9 who could make an 'immediate impact' for the second-half of the season. When the Watkins deal died, there was no obvious alternative who did not 'compromise' the club's summer plans.

Instead, Kai Havertz is likely to lead the line again for Arsenal at St James' Park, supported by wide players like Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling.

Arteta was also asked to provide an update on Bukayo Saka, who picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Crystal Palace in December and was forced to undergo surgery. Arteta, though, did not give much away when speaking to reporters on Tuesday. "I don't know," the Gunners boss said.

Regardless of the squad and injury issues, there is no chance of Arteta fielding a much-changed side from the one that hammered Manchester City 5-1 at the weekend. The Arsenal boss believes his side have a strong chance of overturning the two-goal advantage Eddie Howe's men hold, and says they are full of confidence.

"Tomorrow is a final. The boost that the win against City gave us. It's the closest competition we are to a final; so we're going to give it our all."