Mikel Arteta admitted he was “disappointed” not to do a last-minute deal for a striker - and then backed “powerhouse” Kai Havertz to fire them to glory. Arsenal must overturn a two-goal deficit in their Carabao Cup semi final second leg with Newcastle but it comes after a frustrating deadline day. They tried to bring forward their summer move for Benjamin Sesko, missed out on Mathys Tel and were also been linked with a loan for Alvaro Morata who ended up at Galatasaray.
It means Havertz is their only recognised striker and they will have to rely on him for the rest of the campaign and their chances of winning silverware in the Carabao Cup, title race and Champions League. Gunners boss Arteta said: “We had a clear intention to explore opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it. “We haven’t achieved it, so we are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kind of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well.
“When you try your best and after you don't achieve it, there are things to learn. Nobody knows whether it is better to have done it or not. We'll know probably at the end of the season.”. Havertz now has all the responsibility on his shoulders to get the goals and has got 15 across all competitions this season. But Havertz has also felt the pressure and expectations this season as he scored in Sunday’s win over Manchester City after missing a sitter in the first half. He and his family even endured online abuse after Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup last month.
But Arteta says just relying on Havertz is not a risk because he can handle it while he also insists Arsenal can overturn the first-leg defeat and reach Wembley. Arteta added: “It's not a gamble, it's reality. Genetically he is a powerhouse. He is so well-built. He is a player who does anything you ask him. His body absorbs everything. And then he really looks after himself. When you see the professional, how he lives his life, it is immaculate.
“He does more than any other player there. That is not a coincidence. And then I think he is so intelligent. He knows what is good for him and what is not. “We know how to manage him and we believe that when he says something it is for the right reason, not because he wants to avoid something. When something works, don’t touch him. “Where we are today as compared to where we were after the first leg, with disappointment and the manner of the game as well, with the number of chances we missed and where we are today is very different.
“This is another opportunity ahead of us, a big one that can take us to Wembley so we are really looking forward to it.”. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
