Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal’s biggest challenges ahead of summer transfer market
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reiterated his ambition to strengthen the club’s attacking options this summer but admitted that signing a top striker remains one of the toughest tasks in the current transfer market.
The Gunners have been actively searching for a new No. 9, having made an unsuccessful £40 million bid for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins during the January transfer window. The North London side continues to monitor several high-profile targets, including Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Despite showing support for his current forwards, Arteta acknowledged that injuries have hampered Arsenal’s goal output this season. However, he maintains that a new striker is needed if the club is to take the next step.
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“Do I have to make it more clear?” said Arteta during his press conference. “In January it was clear, no? I think I said it many times—it was a very clear statement. That statement continues the same.”
Arteta added, “I want the best team, the best players. If we have three goalscorers with over 25 goals, bring them in, and we’ll be a much better team. Scoring over 90 goals gives you a high chance of winning the Premier League—although it doesn’t guarantee it.”
Arsenal have been in the market for a new striker across the last two transfer windows, but the Spaniard pointed out the scarcity of elite No. 9s who consistently deliver high numbers.
When asked whether signing a striker is the most difficult position to recruit, Arteta replied, “Probably. Because there are not that many putting up those numbers. It’s in the stats—there are very few in the Premier League.”
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While the search continues, Arteta emphasised the importance of improving the players already at his disposal.
“We’ll try to improve, but also improve the ones we have right now—and love the ones we have right now,” he said. “It’s too easy to look elsewhere after a loss and not judge players fairly in difficult moments.”
Arteta also took aim at shifting narratives around certain players, suggesting that public opinion often changes based on short-term performances.
“It’s all relative—to the context, to the moment, and the narrative you want to generate. I understand that,” he concluded.
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