Mikel Arteta does not expect Arsenal to sign a new striker during the January transfer window, saying: “I love the players that we have.”
Arsenal supporters have called for the arrival of a natural goalscorer following an alarming dip in form which has seen Arsenal drop from first to fourth in the Premier League table.
The Gunners failed to win any of their three league games over the festive period, drawing 1-1 at Liverpool before suffering dismal defeats against West Ham and Fulham, and they were also eliminated from the FA Cup earlier this month, losing 2-0 in a rematch with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
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Six sides have bettered Arsenal’s tally of 37 Premier League goals this campaign, with Bukayo Saka the Gunners’ leading goalscorer in the competition, netting six times in 2023-24.
Ivan Toney was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but is now reportedly set to stay at Brentford, while Karim Benzema has been touted as a potential loan target amid suggestions he may be unhappy in Saudi Arabia.
However, as Arteta looked ahead to Saturday’s meeting with Crystal Palace, he downplayed the chances of Arsenal adding a forward to their ranks this month.
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 19, 2024
Asked whether it was realistic to expect a new striker to arrive in January, Arteta said: “No. But, first thing, that’s because I love the players that we have.
“We are recharged, full of energy and super motivated. We want to attack the second half of the season with a lot of ambition, and with the understanding that the team is capable of big things. We are convinced of that.”
Arsenal have lost three of their last five league games after only losing one of their first 15 this season, slipping five points behind leaders Liverpool.
However, Arteta has not lost faith in his players, saying: “A lot of times, it’s not about what you have to do, it’s just about looking around and seeing how people behave.
“When I say that I love my job so much, it’s because I love so much the people that I have next to me, that they are with me every day.
“Okay, we had a difficult time, and it’s true that we played in a certain way against big teams and we didn’t win, but we know what we produced.
“They are a joy to work with and they give me every reason to be super positive for the second half of the season.”
