‘Very difficult’ to improve Arsenal in January window, says Mikel Arteta

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it will be difficult to find January signings who will be capable of immediately improving his side as they aim to end a five-year trophy drought.

A lack of firepower was exposed in the past week, as Arteta’s men lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the League Cup semi-final, first leg and drew 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion in a blow to their English Premier League title hopes.

Adding to his attacking problems, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will be sidelined until at least March after surgery on a hamstring injury.

The Gunners lie six points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, although they are well-placed to progress to the Champions League knockout stages.

On Jan 10, Arteta shot down suggestions he has to add more forward options to his squad over the January transfer window.

“Bringing in bodies doesn’t help us all,” he said, ahead of the FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United on Jan 12.

“It’s just about somebody who can immediately impact our performance and can bring something that we don’t have.

“To find that in this market is very difficult to achieve.

“The circumstances (can) change because we have certain injuries for some big players, so it’s always a possibility.

“But always, it’s about somebody that is really going to make us much better.”

Arteta’s comments after the defeat by Newcastle that the ball used in the League Cup was “tricky” and “flies different” to those used in the Premier League have been widely mocked.

However, the Spaniard said his explanation for Arsenal’s missed chances against the Magpies was never meant as an excuse.

“It’s not an excuse, it’s a reality,” added Arteta.

“Every pitch is different, the weather conditions are changing in football, that’s the beauty of it.

“That’s it, we adapt to that, and I never use it as an excuse.”

Turning his sights on to United, Arteta said he is impressed by the impact new boss Ruben Amorim has had on the Red Devils.

Arsenal handed the Portuguese his first loss as United manager in a 2-0 Premier League win in December.

But United, 13th in the league, have shown sparks of potential in a 2-1 win at Manchester City and last weekend’s 2-2 draw at leaders Liverpool.

“Look at how they perform against the big teams... and the results they got,” said Arteta.

“I think every manager, when he gets appointed, it’s for a reason. The reasons can be different. Sometimes it’s just to improve a football team... sometimes it’s to transform a football club. That’s a totally different dimension of a job.”

FA Cup holders United, however, lost four straight matches before the Liverpool draw, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last nine matches, while Arsenal had scored 13 goals in five matches before their League Cup loss.

Amorim has expressed his desire to keep talented youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, despite rumours the duo could be sold to ease the club’s financial pressures.

The club’s ability to hand the former Sporting Lisbon coach, who took charge in November, significant funds to rebuild in the transfer market is limited by profit and sustainability rules.

United lost £113 million (S$189 million) in the financial year to June 2024 – their fifth straight year in the red.

As academy graduates, any fee received for Mainoo or Garnacho would appear on the books as 100 per cent profit.

Reports this week said United were therefore open to offers for the pair, as well as a number of other recently acquired signings such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt.

“I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones,” said Amorim on Jan 10.

“It’s a special moment in this club, it’s a hard moment, but, of course, I’m really happy with Kobbie, he’s improving, and also with Garna.”

Amorim has previously admitted United’s recruitment must be better and he stressed the need to also improve the club’s academy to help save money in the transfer market.

Another United academy graduate – Marcus Rashford – does seem set to leave Old Trafford in January.

The 27-year-old reportedly held talks with AC Milan this week, with other European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, also interested.

Rashford has not featured in United’s last six games and Amorim refused to be drawn on whether he could return at the Emirates. AFP, REUTERS