Mikel Arteta poured cold water on Arsenal’s hopes of signing a new striker before the end of this month after Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool. The Gunners were on top for the majority of the contest but were left kicking themselves at the final whistle, with an own goal from Jakub Kiwior and a late strike from Luis Diaz seeing the visitors’ progress in the FA Cup.
Arsenal spurned several golden chances to score before they were punished for their wastefulness in front of goal, with the likes of Reiss Nelson, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz all going close but not close enough. Their lack of bite in the final third sparked renewed calls for the signing of another striker, given their struggles in converting chances into goals this season.
Gunners legend Ian Wright was clear in his demands to his former side as he reacted on X, formerly Twitter, simply posting: “We need a killer.” However, Arteta insisted after the full-time whistle against Liverpool that it will be difficult to bring in the right player before the January window closes.
“At the moment it doesn’t look realistic,” the Spaniard told beIN Sports. “My job is to improve the players we have.”
Arteta was again quizzed on Arsenal’s transfer plans in his press conference but was quick to double down on his assessment, urging supporters to back the players already in the building rather than clamouring for new signings.
“What I beg from the supporters is that they are behind the team,” he said. “Stick behind the team, they are incredibly good. They deserve the support with their attitude. One thing is what we need and another is what we can do. What we can do is stick behind those players and make sure we stick behind those players.”
The Arsenal boss went on to praise the collective performance of his players despite failing to take their chances against Liverpool, adding: “I haven’t seen a team in the past six months that has generated what we have done against them. We haven’t capitalised.
“When my team plays with that courage and attitude, against probably the best team in Europe right now, what can I do but stick by them and support them? Yeah, it is frustrating, but what can we do? I can’t tell them: ‘Play bad, don’t shoot, and score an own goal’.”
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