MIKEL ARTETA has told Arsenal fans: we can win the Prem without wasting a lot of money in January.
The Gunners boss insists he will not panic over a signing this transfer window, suggesting a new striker would NOT be a guarantee of catching leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal have been rocked by injuries to Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Raheem Sterling (knee), which have seriously weakened Arteta's attacking options.
It's why the north Londoners have been linked with a move for Newcastle's £150m-rated striker Alexander Isak – a player club legend that Paul Merson says they should “break the bank” for.
But Arteta claims his side have more than enough firepower, as do Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, to close the six-point gap on Arne Slot's Reds, who also have a game in hand.
Ahead of today's trip to Brighton, Spaniard Arteta explained: “Signing someone is not enough, that's for sure.
“That acquisition must then score, how many goals? Do you score 20 goals from here to the end and have a better chance? Maybe, yes.
“If there is something stronger on the market that we can afford and that we think will have a real impact, we should always be open to that possibility. But right now the focus is on what we have.
“I am very happy with the players we have and the number of goals we have scored, it is more than enough to win a Premier League.
“But someone does more, so we have to be better. That's life.”
Those figures include breaking their Prem record with 91 league goals last season, and notching 114 goals in all competitions in 2024, at the best level in more than 60 years.
So far this season, Arsenal have scored 38 Prem goals, only Tottenham (41) and Liverpool (45) have more.
Jesus has three top-flight goals, while Havertz has seven – compared to Isak's impressive tally of 12 in 17 league appearances for the Toon.
The absence of Saka – with five goals and 10 assists in the Prem – could also have a damaging impact on Arsenal's scoring output, but Arteta remains calm.
After two years of finishing second behind Manchester City, Arteta said: “If we panic in the transfer window it means we are not prepared.
“If you are well prepared, your decision will be processed better, very well. We are ready if we need to do something.”
Arsenal's diminished attacking prowess is highlighted by Liverpool's red-hot attacking force, which includes Mo Salah (17 Prem goals), Cody Gakpo (five) and Luis Diaz (eight).
Arteta added: “Liverpool's situation is different.
“They have great players that they have signed over the years and they have invested a lot of money in them.
“We've got some fantastic players again who have produced a lot for us, so I'm very happy with what we have.
“All we have to do is show the same level of consistency and then some, because over the last year we have been the best team in the league, broken several records and still haven't won a major trophy. So something is missing.”
Havertz will return for Arsenal after recovering from illness.
And Arteta is also confident Ben White can be back sooner than expected after knee surgery in November.
German striker Havertz was absent from the 3-1 win over Brentford on New Year's Day due to illness.
But Arteta revealed he is healthy enough to face Brighton.
Fullback White has been out since November 10 after surgery on a troublesome knee and is expected to be out for several months.
But asked if White could return before the end of January, Arteta said: “It could be a possibility. The knee looks good.”
Comments