Arteta laments as Arsenal lose out to Chelsea in race for Joao Felix

Mikel Arteta

PREMIER LEAGUE Arteta laments as Arsenal lose out to Chelsea in race for Joao Felix

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 08:59 - 10.01.2023

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal may find it difficult to cope if they fail to recruit an attacker in the January transfer window

The Gunners were believed to be leading the chase for Felix at one stage, as he looked for a way out of Atletico Madrid on an initial loan agreement, but the attacker is now set to join Chelsea until the end of the season.

Arteta has refused to be drawn into a debate regarding specific names but concedes that he needs to work hard on improving those at his disposal while also making the required additions where possible.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

Arteta on lack of attacking depth

When asked about Chelsea winning the race to sign Felix from Atletico, Arteta told ITV on Monday evening: ‘My job is to make those players as good as I can.

‘I will try to do that and if we have any reinforcements, great.’

The Arsenal boss went on to say of efforts to get attacking additions on board most especially because Eddie Nketiah Is the only available senior striker during the injury-enforced absence of Brazil international Gabriel Jesus:

 “The problem is we have only one and to go for that many months until Gabby is back is not easy. But we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment and if we can have some reinforcements, great.”

What next for Arsenal?

Arsenal breezed past Oxford 3-0 in the third round of the FA Cup thanks to a brace from Eddie Nketiah and he now has five goals in his last five appearances, but it is clear that greater depth is required. 

Eddie Nketiah is the only available senior striker in the Arsenal squad
Eddie Nketiah is the only available senior striker in the Arsenal squad

For Arteta, it is vital that offensive reinforcements are brought in as they look to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004