It remains unclear whether Arsenal will be active in the January transfer window despite continued claims that Mikel Arteta's squad needs a new centre-forward. But after a scratchy 1-0 win against Ipswich Town on Friday night, the injury-hit Gunners are now six points behind league leaders Liverpool with an extra game played ahead of Wednesday night's game away to Brentford.
And having little room for manoeuvre could force Arsenal to spend in pursuit of a first Premier League title for two decades. Here are the stories from in and around the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal face a rare weekend without a fixture. Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal must improve even after closing the gap on leaders Liverpool.
Kai Havertz grabbed a first-half winner for the Gunners who wasted a host of second-half chances in a laboured win against Ipswich on Friday night which at least pushed them into second place, six points behind Arne Slot ’s pace-setters who have a game in hand.
Arteta confirmed afterwards that Bukayo Saka has had a surgical procedure on his hamstring injury and suggested the lay-off could be “more than two months” but it is understood they still hope to have him back by the end of February. And Arteta went on to say he was looking for even more from his players if they are to put up a genuine title fight.
