Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club is "actively looking" to strengthen their attacking options during the January transfer window, as the team grapples with significant injuries to key forwards.
The Gunners have been dealt a severe blow with the loss of both Bukayo Saka to a long-term hamstring injury and Gabriel Jesus to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. These absences have notably impacted Arsenal's performance, as they now trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by six points, with the Reds holding a game in hand.
"My opinion is clear that we lost two very very important players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. So we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the frontline, it's clear," Arteta stated. The Spanish manager emphasized that the team was already operating with limited attacking resources before these injuries, making the situation even more pressing.
Recent setbacks in cup competitions have highlighted Arsenal's scoring difficulties. The team's exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United and a 2-0 deficit in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle have been marked by missed scoring opportunities.
While Arsenal has been linked with potential targets including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Wolves' Matheus Cunha, Arteta remained cautious about guaranteeing any signings. "It doesn't just depend on Arsenal, on Mikel or our will. It depends on the market and a lot of different factors," he explained.
The Arsenal manager revealed his thorough approach to player recruitment, describing how he looks beyond statistics and data. "I have seen it, I sense it. A player can score a lot of goals, great. How does this player react when he hasn't scored for six or seven games?" Arteta said, emphasizing the importance of understanding a player's mental strength and adaptability to the Premier League's physical demands.
This sentiment has found support within the team, with midfielder Declan Rice expressing after the Tottenham victory that he wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal pursued a striker during this window. However, Arteta noted that while his squad recognizes the situation's urgency, they haven't explicitly requested reinforcements.
As Arsenal continues their search for attacking reinforcements, Arteta maintains that any potential signing must be the right fit for the club and capable of making an immediate impact. The manager's careful consideration of character, performance under pressure, and adaptability to the Premier League's style suggests that Arsenal's approach to the transfer market will be strategic rather than reactive.
