Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined that his side can make a strong tilt for the Premier League title even without dipping into the transfer market this January
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined that his side can make a strong tilt for the Premier League title even without dipping into the transfer market this January Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined that his side can make a strong tilt for the Premier League title even without dipping into the transfer market this January
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal can win the Premier League title this season even if they don’t sign a new striker this month.
The Gunners have finished as runners-up behind Manchester City for the last two seasons having falling agonisingly short. And Arteta’s men have been accused again of lacking the firepower to get them over the line this time around.
Top scorer Kai Havertz has only netted seven times but Gabriel Jesus’ return to form has boosted Arsenal ’s bid to close the six-point gap on Liverpool. Jesus’ hot streak has also reduced the pressure on Arsenal to bolster in January, despite Arteta being urged to push the boat out to compete with the free-scoring leaders.
Arsenal manager Arteta says any new arrival must be able to influence the team and he said: “I’m very happy with the players that we have.
“When you look at the amount of goals that we have scored as well, it is more than enough to win the Premier League. But the reality is somebody is doing more. And that is the reality of life so we have to do better.
“Signing somebody is not enough, that is for sure. That signing has to score then how many goals? A lot of things have to happen. That (January) market is much more limited than in the one summer, but I don’t know.
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“If something extraordinary is in the market that we can afford and we think will have a real impact on the team we have to be open for that possibility always. At the moment, the focus is on what we have.”
And much of that focus will be on rejuvenated Jesus. Six goals in his last four games means the long-term absence of the injured Bukayo Saka with a torn hamstring has not been as keenly felt as first feared.
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Arteta said: “When you are in that moment you want to continue to play. Gabriel has had a massive step up in load in recent weeks. We are going to have to try and manage the players.”
In 2023, Arsenal signed Jorginho and Leandro Trossard but Arsenal’s pursuit of new signings this time around has been not helped by sporting director Edu’s sudden exit.
The Brazilian, alongside, Arteta, was responsible for rebuilding Arsenal into title contenders with talent-spotter Jason Ayto stepping into the breach on an interim basis.
Arteta said: “I am so used to doing things with Edu, but Jason was a big part of that team. If we panic it means we are not prepared, and a big thing is preparation. We are ready if we have to do something, but we know as well we have an excellent squad. With players available, we can compete with any team.”
Arsenal are two points better off after 20 games compared to this stage of last season but can ill-afford a slip-up ahead of today’s trip to Brighton.
He said: “In the last year, we have been the best in the league and broken various records and have not won a major trophy so something is missing.
“At the end we were so close and we just need to flick that coin to the other side to make it happen and that will only happen if we do what we have to do and what we can control. The rest is out of our hands.”
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