With days of the January transfer window left, Arsenal fans will be hoping their side can get at least one forward through the door, particularly considering their recent goalscoring struggles
Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal are still “open” to signings in the final days of the January transfer window as the club continue their search for a much-needed striker.
With the Gunners six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, pressure is mounting to bring in reinforcements before the window slams shut on February 3.
Injuries to key attackers, including Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, have left Arteta’s side short of firepower, but a deal for a new forward remains elusive.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko have both been linked, but neither move appears to be progressing. Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike have also both been linked to the North London side.
With no new arrivals looking imminent, Arteta was asked if the club could bring in a player in another position instead. However, the Arsenal boss remained tight-lipped.
“There are situations open,” he said in a press conference. “If we can improve the squad with players that can impact us now and in the future, we will try to do that if it is the best thing for the club.”
But while the focus is on potential incomings, one exit has now been all but confirmed—Kieran Tierney is heading back to Celtic.
The left-back, who has struggled to make an impact under Arteta in recent seasons, is set to return to his boyhood club after falling further down the pecking order. Tierney has played just five times for Arsenal this season, and a move back to Glasgow is now only a matter of time.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed the move, saying: “Ideally, it would happen in January, but he’s still an Arsenal player at the moment. I think everyone is agreed that it will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great.”
With just days left before the transfer deadline, Arsenal fans will be anxiously waiting to see if Arteta and the board can pull off any late business—or if they’ll be left relying on their current squad to mount a title challenge.