Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed disappointment over the club's inability to secure any signings during the January transfer window, despite his repeated calls for reinforcements in the attacking department.
The Gunners experienced a notably quiet transfer period, failing to strengthen their squad even as injuries to key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus highlighted the need for additional firepower. Arteta had previously emphasized his desire to bring in a new attacker, but the club's hierarchy did not fulfill his request.
Reports indicate that Arsenal made a £40million ($49.9m) bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, which was rejected following Jhon Duran's transfer to Al-Nassr. The North London club also withdrew from negotiations for Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel, who subsequently joined their rivals Tottenham on a loan deal with a purchase option.
"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," Arteta told reporters. "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."
The Spanish manager also emphasized the need to adapt to the current situation, stating, "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 fitted longer."
Arteta further added that flexibility would be key moving forward: "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."
The Gunners now turn their attention to Wednesday's crucial Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle, where they must overcome a two-goal deficit to secure a place in the final.
