Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club is “actively looking” to sign a striker during the January transfer window to bolster their attacking options amid an injury crisis.
The Gunners have been hit hard by the loss of key players Gabriel Jesus, who is out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Bukayo Saka, sidelined with a long-term hamstring problem. These setbacks have left Arsenal short in the frontline as they aim to challenge for the Premier League title for the third consecutive season.
Arteta acknowledged the impact of the injuries during a press conference, stating, “We lost two very important players. We lack goals, options, and people in the frontline. Ideally, we need help, but we’ll only bring in the right player who can make an impact.”
Arsenal, currently six points behind leaders Liverpool, have also faced disappointing cup runs. They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and trail Newcastle 2-0 after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Missed goalscoring opportunities have been a recurring issue.
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The Gunners have been linked with potential targets such as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha. However, Arteta stressed that completing a deal is not guaranteed, saying, “It doesn’t just depend on us—it’s about the market and various factors.”
Arteta also revealed that he sometimes consults his players about potential signings, especially if they’ve played with the target before, to gain insights into their character and adaptability.
“There’s more to a player than their stats,” Arteta explained. “How do they react during goal droughts? What kind of goals do they score? Do they thrive under physical pressure? These details are vital for success in this league.”
Midfielder Declan Rice recently hinted that the squad wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal signed a striker, but Arteta emphasized that the team recognizes and adapts to the current challenges.
With time ticking in the January window, Arsenal fans will hope the club can secure a key addition to reignite their title challenge and strengthen their squad depth.
