Mikel Arteta responds to Rio Ferdinand call for Arsenal to sign new striker
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are actively looking to sign a new striker before the January transfer window closes after his side’s 2-1 win over Tottenham.
The Gunners are now four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after they came from behind to secure victory in the north London derby on Wednesday night.
Son Heung-min put Tottenham in front at the Emirates Stadium but Arsenal equalised after the ball deflected into the net off Dominic Solanke from a corner. Leandro Trossard then found the net with a low effort shortly before the break to put Arteta’s side in front.
Kai Havertz started as the focal point in Arsenal’s attack with Trossard and Raheem Sterling, who struggled to make an impact, playing either side of the Germany international.
Arsenal will continue their bid to close the gap on Liverpool without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus due to injury, but Arteta is adamant that the club are seeking attacking reinforcements this month.
When asked by Rio Ferdinand if Arsenal are now looking to sign a striker to replace Jesus, Arteta replied: ‘Yes, for sure.
‘Because we lost two players, big players, Bukayo [Saka], who can be out for up to three months, that’s a long time, and Gabby, who is going to be out for a long, long, long time.’
Asked if they will try to complete a new signing before the end of the January window, Arteta said: ‘We are going to try, for sure.
‘We are actively looking at. I think we have lost two very, very important players, we have 14 players in the squad, and we play every three days.
‘We will try but let’s see who we can get.’