MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 23:41:50| >> :60:977:977:

Mikel Arteta suggests Arsenal will not recruit new striker this summer

Surprise admission: Arteta suggests Arsenal will not strengthen in key position
© Imago
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta suggests that the Gunners may decide against signing a new striker before the summer transfer deadline.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested that the club may not recruit a new striker before the summer transfer deadline.

The Gunners have made a couple of signings to their senior side, converting David Raya's loan move into a permanent transfer before recruiting Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Arsenal are keen to strengthen their midfield with the addition of Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino and are currently doing their utmost to recruit the Euro 2024 winner.

There has also been the suggestion that Arsenal will look to bolster their forward line, especially with Eddie Nketiah heading towards the exit door.

A recent report claimed that the Gunners have drawn up a three-man striker shortlist featuring Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez and Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claps the fans on August 17, 2024© Reuters

Arteta suggests Arsenal may not sign a new striker

While Arsenal continue to be linked with different names, Arteta has hinted that the club may not sign a new striker before the summer transfer deadline.

The Arsenal boss offered his backing to Arsenal's current forward options following Saturday's 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"I have faith in Kai Havertz, we have faith in Gabriel Jesus," Arteta told talkSPORT. "Leandro [Trossard] has played in that position.

"So we have different qualities in there and the best thing we can do is trust the players that we have and try to improve them. They are so good and so willing and that's what we focus on."

Kai Havertz celebrates scoring for Arsenal on August 17, 2024© Reuters

Do Arsenal need a new forward?

Havertz proved that he was capable of playing as a number nine last season, and he demonstrated that again in Arsenal's Premier League opener against Wolves.

The former Chelsea man netted the opener at the Emirates Stadium, before he assisted Saka for Arsenal's second in the 75th minute.

While Havertz is clearly capable as a number nine, Arsenal must be open to the prospect of bringing in a new striker to add further quality to Arteta's current options.

Another top-quality striker could potentially be the difference between the Gunners ending their 20-year for the Premier League title or falling short like the past two seasons.

ID:550656:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4796:
Written by
Ben Sully

Click here for more stories about Mikel Arteta

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah pictured on September 8, 2022
Read Next:
Arsenal 'draw up' three-man striker shortlist
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Lions
34-17
Bears
FT
Browns
6-24
Bengals
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Bills
FT
Titans
30-38
Colts
FT
Giants
7-34
Falcons
FT
Rams
19-9
Jets
FT
Cardinals
30-36
Panthers
FT
Eagles
33-36
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!