‘Disappointed’ Arteta admits Arsenal’s January transfer window failings

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed his disappointment that his side failed to meet their transfer aims ahead of their huge semi-final second-leg clash against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

The Gunners travel to St James’ Park aiming to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg and are full of confidence after thrashing Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.

Arteta’s side wanted to bring in a striker during the January transfer window but were unable to as their pursuit for Ollie Watkins failed. 

He said: “We had a clear intention. We haven’t achieved it. So we are disappointed. But we are aware that we only want to bring certain types of players, so we have to be disciplined. We couldn’t do it for certain reasons and we have to expect that, it was a combination of things.”

Arteta insisted that their transfer failings were not because they were apprehensive to gamble on a signing and has called for his side to press on regardless of their squad size.

He added: “It is reality, we have the players that we have, we have never had a squad of 35, 40, 45 players. Other clubs have this but we do not. We have to evolve and have more players from the academy and the ones that are here have to be fitter longer.”

With no new additions in attack, Arteta admitted that his frontline will have to become more flexible throughout the remainder of the season. 

The Spaniard explained: “Leo [Trossard] can play in that position, Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position, Ethan [Nwaneri] I think can play in that position, [Gabriel] Martinelli can play there, so let’s see in relation to how everybody is, the moment, the opponent, but at some point I think we’re going to have to try something different.

“We spoke very openly from my side about the intention to improve the squad if we have the capacity to do it. Most importantly, [we want] to keep improving the team, to keep improving the individuals within the team.”

Goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak in the first leg dealt a massive blow to Arsenal’s hopes of reaching Wembley for the Carabao Cup final and Arteta’s side will be up against it on Wednesday evening. 

Arteta added: “The next stop is a final. It’s the closest competition we are to a final; so we’re going to give it our all. The win against City gave us a boost. 

“We are excited, hungry and enthusiastic because we are very close to playing in a final. We have come from strong performances and great wins. It is the moment to go full gas.”

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