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Mikel Arteta says there are four reasons why Arsenal have not signed a top-class forward yet

Shamanth Jayaram

Fri 10 January 2025 14:30, UK Updated Fri 10 January 2025 14:51, UK

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta often comes under criticism for not signing prolific attackers.

The Spaniard took charge of the Gunners just ove🔯r five years ago. He has done a lot of good work on and off the pitch and has completely transformed the club.

Arsenal have made immense progress under Arteta, and the next step is to win big trophies. But, many like Alan Shearer༺ feel that will not be possible without a new striker.

Arte🅠ta was quizzed about why he hasn’t invested more money on his attack over the years, and the Arsenal manager shared his reasons.

Mikel Arteta explains Arsenal’s lack of attacking signings

Since becoming Arsenal’s manager in December 2019, has overseen 34 transfers 🧜– that includes signings on loan as well as permanent deals.

That’s an averag♎e of just under four signings per window (excluding the current window), which is a dece✤nt figure.

However, the big problem for Arsenal in that period is thꩵeir number of signings in the forward areas – Just six of those💯 34 signings have been attackers.

One of those is young Marquinhos, who has barely played♔, while another is Willian who came in on a free transfer and had a disastrous spell. Kai Havertz was also initially brought in to be a midfieldಌer.

In his press conference on Friday, Arteta was asked why he has signed so few players for his forward line compared to other areas of the pit𓃲ch.

The Arsenal boss explai♔ned four reasons for that:

• Because Arsenal already have good attackers
• Because strengthening other areas of the pitch was more important
• Because of player availability
• Because of Arsenal’s inability to afford their key targets

Arteta said, as relayed on Hayters TV: “In the front positions, comparing to ✤what other clubs have done and the expenditure we’ve had there, we are far from them over the ye♕ars for different reasons.

“First of all, we have very, very good players. And because we had many necessities in the squad to achieve in that period. We have certain limitations and we have a l♛ot of gaps and a lot of things to cover to become the team that we want.

“And then, the availabꦡility of the players – can you afford them even if you want them? Sometimes it’s not possible.”

Three strikers Arsenal can target in 2025

Arteta has top-class players in defence and midfield now, whi🧸le David Raya is one of the best goalkeepers iཧn the Premier League.

The focus in 2025 has to entirely be onꦬ new attackers, and thankfully for Arsenal, there are a few top-class options available on the market.

Alexander Isak is a target for Arsenal and he would be magnificent. The Newcastle star will cost a British record transfer fee, but we thin♛k he’s worth every penny.

Arsenal like Benjamin Sesko 🍌as well, and he would be a great signing too. The Gunners tried to get him last summer but he r꧒ejected them.

Viktor Gyokereꦉs of Sporting CP has been linked with Arsenal for a long time. He i🎶s one of the most prolific strikers on the planet and could make a difference for the Gunners.