Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted that his side is preparing to go “full gas” against Newcastle United in their semi-final Carabao Cup despite a “disappointing” end of the transfer window in January.
The Gunners go in the second stage of the tie with a shortage of two goals, but will not be stimulated by new faces, after the window has been closed without a new signing being made with the Emirates.
Sky Sports News reported that a bid was rejected for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, after injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka who left Kai Havertz at the front as the only option, while there was also interest in Mathys Tel, Benjamin Sesko and Mathus Cunha.
“We had a clear intention. The window is open to explore the chance to improve the team with players who can do that. We have not achieved it”.
“We are disappointed in that sense, but we are very aware that we want to bring in a certain kind of player, we have to be very good at that. I think we were.”
Arteta: We will have to try something else
As noted earlier, Havertz now remains the only option of Arsenal in the forward areas, but Arteta is not excluded to be creative to solve the selection problems, while looking at other players in the team who can work in the role.
He added: “We will have to be flexible in the front line. Those who are fit, we must ensure that they stay fit.
“Leo [Trossard]Ethan [Nwaneri]” [Gabriel] Martinelli, Raheem [Sterling] Can play in that position. Let's look at how everyone is, moment and opponent.
“But at some point we will have to try something else.”
Arsenal ready to go 'fully gas' versus newcastle
The shortcomings of Arsenal in the forward area were uncovered during the first meeting between these two parties when they lost 2-0 to the Emirates in January.
The sporadic approach of the Gunners for the goal did not succeed with only three of their 23 shots on goal, while Alexander Isak showed his clinical lead by getting the opener home just before the break.
Although the magpies now have control over the draw after Anthony Gordon has added a second, Arteta is convinced that his side can destroy the shortage by “full gas” in the evening.
He said: “When you compare the emotional state of the team, the way of defeat and how it happened, it is now different.
“We have achieved some great victories, especially the last against Man City. After this match we have a break, it is completely gas. We will approach it the best way to be in that final.
“They are difficult competitions. We defeated them quite convincingly last season, but the two games this season have been very different.”
Howe Frustrated by Newcastle window
Arteta is not the only manager who has been left frustrated by the transfer star.
Since the start of this season, Howe has only been able to spend around £ 45 million on income, with one of these, Lloyd Kelly, who is already leaving the club for financial reasons to become a member of Juventus.
Kelly's £ 20 million sales to the Serie A Giants means that the club has recovered about £ 100 million sales in the season – but has left little depth.
“Was I frustrated yesterday (Monday)? No,” said Howe. “That was in the making for a long time, the window ended how we expected it.
“Different emotions for me, in general there is an element of frustration that we have not put forward the team in a positive way, that is everyone's goal and ambition.
“But not yesterday in the day. It is more a general feeling, we want to help the team ahead and progress, but we were unable to do that in this window.”
View Newcastle vs Arsenal in the semi -final of the Carabao Cup, live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, from 7 pm on Wednesday.
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