Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is only focusing on the players he has available, but if the right opportunity arises in the January transfer window, Arsenal will look at it.
The Gunners have been widely linked with strengthening their options this month and have been continually linked with a goalscorer. Significant injury to taslisman Bukayo Saka has also seen calls for the North London side to delve into the market to ease pressure on the squad.
Wool window Matheus Cunha is said to be a target for the club, but Arteta appeared to play down the suggestion of anything other than an opportunistic deal in the coming weeks following Arsenal's win over Brentford. The Gunners came from behind to secure a 3-1 win over the Bees with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal did not see any players arriving twelve months ago, but signed players such as Jorginho and Leandro Trossard earlier in the winter period. Arteta was coy about the prospects on this occasion.
“Right now it's taking care of the players and getting the best out of them,” he said. “Right now our focus is on our players.
“I really love my players and I believe in what we have because there is a lot of quality and dedication.”
“Let's see,” he added, “if there is an opportunity, we will look at it.”
Doubted players stepped up against Brentford. Arteta has been impressed with the recent contributions of Jesus and Martinelli.
“Very good timing! They are both very important,” he said.
“It's a great quality of our team to share the goals. Today we did it again and scored in three very different ways. Great. That's what we need. The people up front have to shoot, with that feeling. and they have that feeling now.”
Ethan Nwaneri also received praise from his manager in his first Premier League start. The 17-year-old's debut also came against the Bees more than two years ago.
Arteta made it clear that Nwaneri was not named in his starting line-up solely due to illness issues.
“Well, being in that position wasn't because of the bug,” he explained. “It was a decision I made because I thought he was the best player to play in the position to start the game and because there was a story behind his debut here. He made his Premier League debut and sometimes that feeling up and feel that it is the right one and who knows?
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