Saturday, January 18, 2025

“We are looking, we are trying” – Arteta opens up on January transfers

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are actively scouring the transfer market for reinforcements with reports claiming Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury.

Having played himself back into (some sort of) form with six goals at the turn of the year, the loss of the Brazil international, coupled with the long-term absence of Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri’s recent muscular problem, has left the Gunners threadbare in the final third.

As things stand, Arteta has little choice but to keep rotating three of four out-of-sorts attackers – Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling – at a crux moment of the season.

The Athletic reports that Arsenal are assessing foreign loan options while the names of former targets, including Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic, have also had airtime.

“My answer doesn’t change, my answer remains the same,” replied the manager when asked if he is searching for a new central striker.

“We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad and that’s been since day one.

“We’d be naive to not do that because there’s an opportunity always to evolve the team and improve the squad, especially in the circumstances we have. Yes, we are looking and trying. Let’s see what we’re able to do.”

Arteta also took a moment to clarify comments made after Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United where he suggested transfers, “the rest is not in our hands, in my hands.”

“Well, when you have to recruit a player, there are three parties [involved]. And you have to agree to that,” he explained.

“And we have our limitations as well, like any other club. So we can do what we can do. And we plan our squad and we have our limits to what we want to do. And that’s it.

“The fact that I love a lot our players doesn’t mean that we cannot think about improving. I’m not that stubborn. And we all want the same – that we use every opportunity to improve the squad daily.

“When the market comes in, we can do that to make sure that we have the best resources and the best capacities to compete in the manner that we want to.”

Pressed on whether the main target would be an out-and-out striker, he continued: “We have to believe that if we bring in something, it’s going to make us better. That’s in any position [not just strikers] because we have other issues as well.

“We need to understand that a player can bring a lot to the team in different ways, it’s not just about one, because nobody can guarantee you nothing. There’s no one player in the market that can guarantee coming in today and doing that.

“We’re going to hope and we’re going to believe and we’re going to try to work on somebody that we believe that he can do that. That’s what we are trying to do.”

Arteta also made clear that the departure of Sporting Director Edu in November hasn’t changed the role he plays when it comes to transfer decisions. The Spaniard has previously said that Jason Ayto, who has taken over from Edu on an interim basis, continues to lead a backroom team with plenty of experience.

“No, Jason completely filled it [Edu’s role] and obviously all the team that is behind it and the board that we are in constant communication,” he said.

“We continue to act in the same way, the same process that we had before and Jason is in charge of that.”

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C.B.

With all the injuries we have and that have stopped us winning the league the last two seasons we need to recruit and also see if there is something we are doing wrong in training. Most likely it is too many fixtures, all close together, for the size of the squad.

Ebo

It felt the last two seasons like the medical team had been upgraded significantly compared to previous eras where we seemed to always be the most injured team. But now… honestly I think the biggest issue was the Euros, added to an already insane schedule full of interlulls, more CL matches etc., and that after helping us become a top club almost all of our players have become prominent in their national teams too.

Obviously the odd freak injury can happen regardless, but this amount… and the severity of many of them. It’s not normal.

BBS

Hope the best for Jesus.
We were already not scoring any goals in open play, so his injury should not impact Arsenal much.

Jeremy

This is spot on. But here’s the rub, we knew this before the season started. We knew that Declan and Bukayo played around 50-60 games last season, played every game possible in the Euros and would have to do it all again without an actual break. It’s not sustainable for any player, no matter how fit. You’re gonna break down eventually. We knew the fixtures would be even more congested. We chose to go into the season (with expectations sky high), with 6 players across the forward line: 1) Injury prone Jesus, who’s form in front of goal was non-existent… Read more »

Jeremy

Here’s a fun stat. There are 14 players who have scored more goals than our top scorer in the PL (Havertz – 7 goals). 14 players from 11 different teams. Ipswich have a player who has scored more goals. Brentford have 2 players who have scored more. Spurs have 2 players, Forest, Wolves. Hardly teams who you would call title challengers. There are 33 players across the top 4 European leagues who have scored more goals than our top scorer and many who are level with him. Some of these players are defenders.

Guns Up

Maybe there’s more to a title challenge/season than having a standout goal scorer?? Didn’t have one last season either, and scored plenty of goals. We have the best defense in the league, and it got us within two points of the title last season. But for wild red card decisions and hard luck with injuries to the same positions at the same time, we’d be right there again this season. It’s been a rough week, but if Havertz had been more the player we’d seen all season prior to the last few games, we’d have comfortably beaten MU and gotten… Read more »

Jeremy

There is absolutely more. Having a strong defence/midfield who can also score goals is a big part too. And we have that for the most part. But, if you want to win one of the big trophies in todays’ competitions (and I’m pretty sure that’s where most of us are at), you need to have multiple, prolific attacking options. We don’t have that. We have one, who is now injured probably for the remainder of the season (and btw had only scored 5 PL goals up to now as a penalty taker). Put it this way…if Liverpool lost Salah (18… Read more »

Guns Up

So agree with some of what you’re saying, but I think the oversimplification in this conversation is always “we should have just bought a striker.” I think it’s naive to assume we DIDN’T try to do exactly that, but it’s the most complicated transaction in the business, and this is a complicated business! For what it’s worth, I’d also agree to disagree regarding Liverpool and Salah. I’ve watched him singlehandedly pull them through too many matches this season to believe they’d be anywhere near where they are without him.

Jeremy

I guess we’ll find out if Salah ever gets injured (man seems to be made of titanium). Or if he leaves next season. I hope you’re right. Also, I am sure we did try. But my concern is we are so focused on trying to buy the perfect player that we reject players who could still contribute heavily. If we really wanted the likes of Eze, Mateta, Mbeuno, Wissa, Watkins, or even someone like J David or Rafinha…don’t you think we could have gotten them? Evidence strongly suggests they would be more productive than some of our current crop of… Read more »

btw

and yet only 2 teams (Liverpool, Scum) have scored more in the PL this season, and we’re level with Chelsea.

Jeremy

I understand, but just to be clear…we are all striving to be the best team in the PL right? I’m not saying we’re terrible, I am simply saying we aren’t good enough to achieve what we want. And before the season started, that was pretty clear and should have been addressed.

Santi’s Phonebox

No arguments there. We bought four goalies last window and a left 8 that rumor had it not all of the recruitment team were not aligned behind. An area of the club that needs improvement is recruitment, there are too many other PL clubs that do a better job.

Dinosauras

It’s a simple point right? We want to be the best at every phase of the game per Arteta – here is a very obvious phase we can improve.

Jeremy

Pretty much 😉

El Mintero

Irrelevant. Look at who the majority of goals are scored against and also when. Goals by committee will never win you the league. Haaland wins you the league. Salah wins you the league. Havertz and Jesus do not win you the league.

Cannon and ball and arsen’all

I agree with the sentiment – but I do also think that there were some factors in our summer business that means that I do not necessarily believe our situation is down to poor planning… 1) I think we would have made several further sales over the summer if the offers came in. Had it not been for summer injury of Tomi and I think we would have sold zinny, Kiwior, tierney (essentially all replaced by signing Califiori); 2) We needed to keep a path clear for Nwaneri to persuade him to stay with us, and send the right message… Read more »

Santi’s Phonebox

It will continue to happen until the clubs go to war with the corruption machine that is FIFA. They aren’t fit for purpose. The recent court case that a player brought forth against them on restraint of trade and won will have significant implications. There need to be more cases as that is the only thing that works, certainly not the 6,000 deaths of migrants building stadiums in Qatar. Infantino is the worst. FIFA likes holding tournaments in dictarships, they get more money and more control. Saudi Arabia is a joke of a location. They kill journalists.

Like White and Rice

The winter World Cup was the start of Jesus’ significant injuries. That foolishness started a chain of insane scheduling that is directly leading to more injuries for many players.
You’d think the money people who control the game would try to protect some of their massive investment in these players by finding a way to cut back on the schedule, but the appeal of short term profit always wins out.

gooner

We are in a bad run but can we at least use facts to complain? Injuries didn’t stop us last season. We had a wonderful season, broke the record for goals scored by us in a league season. One of the highest points tallies we’ve ever managed and that can’t be down to bad coaching. We were unfortunately competing against a city machine that turned out a couple of points better than us. We could even be paying the price for that super run and city themselves have paid worse. All this talk about Rodri, it’s not just him alone.… Read more »

C.B.

So if we had had Timber available (missed 45 matches) would that have got us two more points? And Partey (missed 25 matches)? The facts are available.

El Mintero

Nah. We’ve absolutely gone backwards this season at a time when the opportunity to win it has never been stronger. That’s the most frustrating thing. Admittedly injuries have been insane but squad building and tactical strategy on the pitch has let us down as we haven’t been able to cope like we should have.

truj

Look at other teams, for example Sprs, they got much more injuries. This is part of the game nowadays sadly.

I miss santi cazorla

I hear Santi is available

Santi’s Phonebox

Love me some Santi at the Emirates.

Goonshow

I’ll say it again – bring him in for the last few months of the season. Give the little genius the swansong he was so cruelly denied.
What the hell have we got to lose!!!!
And it would be a very ‘Arsenal’ thing to do.

Goonshow

Just stick him in as 9 – guaranteed he score at least a half dozen!

Goonshow

Make that 6 off each foot!

John Fitzgerald

That’s good to see now make the right decision spend big and bring in an experience world Class Striker for 100+ million euro.

ECL

Ivan Toney on loan, anyone?

Wee Mac

We already have 2 loanees (Neto and Sterling). Clubs are not allowed to register more than two players on loan, so that’s a firm no.

arseblog

Max two loans from PL. There’s still scope to loan someone from abroad

Vonnie

Ugh, no.

Gilberto Silva

There are far better Brentford players, like Mbuemo and Wissa. Still, the world’s our oyster. Why not look further afield like Brighton, Man City and other clubs do?

Why is our scouting so limited?

Jack Miller

The name is Perez. Lucas Perez

catbiscuits

Ronaldo on loan would be a peak banter move

Cannon and ball and arsen’all

Foreign loan deals could make sense if we are unable to secure a prime target. PSG have Muani and Asensio available for loan, those two would add a bit of something

Wee Mac

We already have Neto and Sterling registered as loan players. We’re not allowed to register any more.

Cannon and ball and arsen’all

Only from other PL sides, we can still loan from abroad

Geefive

I’d take Muani on loan just to get some legs in. We need something. I hope they don’t buy though. PSG looking for 50m for Muani? Too much for someone not playing a lot.

Jamie

I’ve always thought Martinelli should be tried down the middle. Direct running, usually a good finisher. Worth trying

Santi’s Phonebox

I would like to see that as well.

El Mintero

He played there sometimes under Emery and was ok. Yeah, I’d try him there why not.

thw14

He should just say straight out that the owners don’t want to spend. He has more goodwill in the bank than them, don’t waste it on shielding them like Arsene did.

Sephirothevic

Errr, they pay his salary. He’s not Conte and we’re not Spu*s. Not a good look for us, and not a good look for him either with potential future employers. Whom does it benefit for him to say what everyone with half a brain already knows?

thw14

Fair. I do hope that the fans know it. There’s a lot of “well the owners *have* backed him…”. They’ve backed him to a point. They haven’t backed him to the extent it takes. Whoever the manager is, you can’t nickel and dime (relatively speaking) your way to a title.

A different George

As far as I can see, there is only club in England that have been backed by their owners in the unlimited way you want. That is Man City, and we all know why that has happened. Chelsea’s old owner did the same, and for similar reasons.

thw14

The reasonable comparison is Liverpool, who spent 100-150m each year in each of the five years preceding their title win in 2019.

A chunk of that was funded by the sales of Suarez and Coutinho. That’s because they stood their ground and sold when it suited them, unlike KSE whose ‘self-sustaining model’ lost players like RvP and Alexis the moment there was a risk of forgoing a transfer fee. There is profit to be made in the transfer market – after we win a title, not before.

Mgic

No one can say with certainty why so many players break, and why we look teared down. Still, here’s a theory; 1. last few years Arteta didn’t rotate, the injuries we now see may be an accumulated effect. 2. after less that 10 games, we had slipped up due to a series of very unnecessary mistakes, in a seasons where we had set target to “fine tune” the margins. Beyond failing with that, end the disappointment it provokes it added pressure, and the players look trapped in a mental state of disappointment and pressure, disbelief. they work really hard, so… Read more »

Gilberto Silva

I have zero confidence in Jason Ayto

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