Mikel Arteta hints at January signing as Arsenal weigh up move for new striker

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal celebrate with the Heads Up Emirates FA Cup Trophy following their team's victory in the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England.


Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that the club could dip into the transfer market for a new signing in January.

The Gunners will be without several players next month when the African Cup of Nations comes around.

Former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future also remains up in the air and footballflame.com.ng understands that Arsenal will be open to offers for the Gabon forward.

Aubameyang will head to Cameroon for the tournament which further emphasises the club's need for a new striker, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both able to sign pre-contracts with foreign teams from next month.

"I don’t think we are going to be able to sign players just for this short period of time," said Arteta.

"I think it’s a little bit unrealistic. But we will sit down now and make the right decision if we can."

Arsenal spent over £150million in the summer transfer window and Arteta has been backed by majority owner Stan Kroenke, with his son Josh in regular contact with Arteta and the board.

"No, I think they have shown always the support," he said.

"Since I’ve been here it’s always been the case. We have tried to explain the plan that we want to put in place really openly. Instead of how much money we are going to spend, how much money we are investing in the team and in the football club and go step by step.

"Every case will be treated differently, and every situation will be treated different. But the ambition is only one and it’s trying to be the best team.

With Aubameyang currently training away from the first team, Arteta was asked whether there is a danger of his situation becoming similar to what happened with Mesut Ozil last season.

"I’m sorry but I’m going to expect that [commitment and respect] from everyone at the club, the first one myself.

"The second I don’t do that I go through that door and I do something else. It’s as clear as that. To be successful when you are passionate about something and you want to represent a club of this size and this history. That’s the minimum standards that you demand.

"I’m not going to ask them to put the ball in the top corner every time they hit that ball, but I will ask them to do the right things for this club every single day. That’s for sure."

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