Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted his disappointment after the club failed to secure a new striker before the January transfer window closed on Monday.
Mikel Arteta: The Gunners were keen on signing Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins but had their £60 million ($75 million) bid rejected.
Without an alternative deal in place, Arsenal ended the window without strengthening their attack, leaving them vulnerable following injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s League Cup semifinal second leg against Newcastle, Mikel Arteta acknowledged the frustration: “We talked very openly about the intention to improve the squad if we had the capacity. With players with injuries, we’ve been impacted and we haven’t achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense, but we are also very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players.”
Despite the setback, Arteta remains confident in his squad, especially after their 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City, where Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri shined.
“From now there is no discussion on it. We focus on improving the group we have. We have to be flexible in the front line and make sure they stay fit.”
Arsenal face an uphill battle in the Carabao Cup, needing to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. However, Arteta hopes the City victory will boost confidence as they chase their first League Cup final since 2018.