Arsenal transfer update: Mikel Arteta gives hint at deadline day plans for January window

The Gunners emerged as 5-1 victors against Manchester City on Sunday evening, closing the gap to Premier League-leaders Liverpool to six points.

Victory ensured that the Londoners remained in the title race, but despite scoring five times against the champions, question marks persist about whether they can get by with their current offensive options.

When asked about whether fans could expect any new signings on deadline day on February 3, Arteta insisted he is focused on his side's next game, saying: "I don't know. My phone has been off with transfer window, forbidden to call me, to text me about any of that. My focus was that that's the best preparation we can have for Wednesday, and that was the only thing I was interested in.

Arsenal are set to take on Newcastle United in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday when they hope to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Can Arsenal get by without a striker?

Arteta argued that while his side deserved to win against City, they still needed crucial moments to fall in their favour, and there is an argument that striker Kai Havertz was spared embarrassment when Thomas Partey scored Arsenal's second.

The Gunners' lead was wiped out when Erling Haaland scored to level the score at 1-1 in the 55th minute, but Partey scored 38 seconds after the restart when Phil Foden gifted him possession.

Had Foden not made such a basic error, questions might have been asked of Havertz, who squandered a golden opportunity to give Arsenal a two-goal lead just yards out from goal in the first half.

The German has received criticism for his performances in front of goal this term, and with talisman Bukayo Saka set to miss months of action, some have felt that Havertz has so far failed to step up.

Arteta's side reportedly made an attempt to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the past week, but the Englishman suffered an injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 1 and it also remains to be seen if Villa would be willing to do business so late in the window.

The North Londoners trail Liverpool by six points but the Reds boast the advantage of a game in hand, and the league leaders do not seem to have any problems finding the back of the net given Mohamed Salah has scored 21 goals in just 23 games.

No Arsenal player has managed to score 10 Premier League goals so far this season, and despite not featuring since December 12, Saka is still the Gunners' third highest goalscorer in the top flight.

If the Gunners wish to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title, they will almost certainly need players like Havertz to scale their output in the final third.

Written by

Lewis Nolan