MIKEL ARTETA is consulting his Arsenal stars on which striker to sign before the transfer window slams shut.
Arsenal are desperately looking for extra firepower in the January window with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus leaving the North Londoners desperately short up top.
PAInjuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have left Arsenal struggling up top[/caption]
REUTERSManager Mikel Arteta is open to bringing in a new striker before the window shuts on February 3[/caption]
GETTYThe Spaniard is consulting WITH his players over what type of forward to sign[/caption]
But with just over a week until the window shuts, Arteta appears no closer to bringing in a new face with key target Benjamin Sesko looking likely to remain at Red Bull Leipzig barring a hefty late bid.
The north Londoners have also been linked with moves for Alexander Isak, Dusan Vlahovic and Matheus Cunha.
Following Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham last week, Declan Rice said: “We’re a bit short [in attack]. I’m not surprised if we are going to do something.”
Asked if his players have spoken to him about new signings ahead of today’s [SAT] clash at Wolves, Arteta said: “Not like that, but we have all been there, we all look at each other.
“We have had very, very short numbers for many, many weeks and they recognise the situation, we all do.
“That’s why we are trying to do what is right for the club, the team, that’s our intention.”
Arteta says he “always” consults his players about potential incomings or specific individuals he is trying to bring to the club.
He added: “That’s getting us away from the computer and what the data is saying. It is real. I have seen it, I sense it.
“A player can score a lot of goals, great. How does this player react when he hasn’t scored for six or seven games?
“This is what I am interested in.
“Watch an interview with a player who hasn’t scored for six games, and then what kind of goals does he score?
“Against which teams in which context? Is it first half or second half?
“Is it only with his right foot, only headers, only in open spaces?
“Does he like the physical contact of this league?
“So when you have a player that has spent a lot of days with [a transfer target], that is really valuable information to have.”
Arteta has the backing of owners Stan and Josh Kroenke to do business this month.
But key decision-makers are taking into account the impact it could have on their summer plans and future targets, as well as how it will affect the make-up of the squad.
A domestic loan is off the table having already acquired back-up keeper Neto from Bournemouth and Raheem Sterling from Chelsea last summer on a season-long deal.
Neto is yet to make an appearance for the club – having been cup-tied for the Carabao Cup upon his arrival – but Arteta has quashed any suggestions of cancelling one of those loans to accommodate another.
Defenders Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been linked with moves away this month, the latter attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund, which could free up space and funds for a striker.
GettyRB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is at the top of the Gunners’ wishlist[/caption]
But Arteta said: “It’s about balance as well, depending which player it is [being sold].
“If that is a player that is going to give us space or if it is going to limit us again in a certain position.
“It all depends. The rules are quite tricky well.
“It’s not just what you bring and what you sell, it’s actually what resources do you have available after that.”
On a more positive note, Arteta could have defensive duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and William Saliba back for the trip to Molineux.
Left-back Lewis-Skelly missed the Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb with a jarred knee picked up in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa – but scans have shown “nothing serious”.
Centre-back Saliba has been struggling with a hamstring strain that has also kept the Frenchman out of Arsenal’s last two outings – and could be rested for next weekend’s game against Manchester City.
Arteta said: “Whether it is too early or not [for them to face Wolves], we don’t know.
“They will definitely be in for next week. This week, let’s see how it goes.”
Right-back Ben White is also close to a return following knee surgery in November, preparing to train with the senior squad over the next week.
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