MIKEL ARTETA is really “disappointed” Arsenal messed up the January transfer window. But the Gunners boss says “powerhouse” Kai Havertz can carry their attack until the end of the season — starting against Newcastle. With long-term injuries to forwards Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Arsenal were in desperate need of adding some attacking reinforcements during the winter window.

Instead, the North London giants must chase down Prem leaders Liverpool and reach the latter stages of the Champions League with a squad weaker than most of their rivals. Arsenal have just one fit centre-forward in ex-Chelsea man Havertz, 25, having decided to stick with what they have instead of bringing in a body to bolster the team. The closest Arteta came to fixing his striker crisis was a futile £45million approach for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, 29, late in the window that was quickly rejected.

There was also interest in a loan deal for Bayern Munich attacker Mathys Tel, 19. But Emirates chiefs decided to back out of a move before Tottenham swooped to sign the Frenchman. Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners’ lack of transfer activity is NOT a “gamble”. The Spaniard claims Arsenal can now splash the cash in the summer — with top targets such as RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, 21, valued at £60m.

Ahead of trying to turn around a 2-0 deficit in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Newcastle, Arteta defended the club’s cautious stance. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS. Amid the horror ACL injury to Jesus last month, the Gunners chief explained: “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 all disappointed.

“But, as well, we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players to the club and have to be very disciplined. “Nobody knows whether it is better to have done it or not. We will know probably at the end of this season. “It’s not a gamble — it is reality. We have the players that we have and some of them are on loan. “We’ve never had a squad of 35, 40, 45 players. So many other clubs, they have 45 players in their list.

“We just don’t have that size at the moment. We have had to do so much in the last few years and that’s where we are. “So we’re going to have to evolve there as well and have more and  more players from the academy. “And the ones that are here need to be fitter longer. We need to be on our toes.”. By Jordan Davies. MIKEL ARTETA wants Arsenal to go “full gas” tonight and seal a spot  at Wembley.

But the Gunners boss urged his stars NOT to fire up  a  raucous St James’ Park crowd. Arteta’s side face a daunting task trying to overturn Newcastle’s 2-0 lead from the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final. And the Spaniard wants his players to stay calm — three days after Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel taunted Erling Haaland during a 5-1 win over Manchester City. Asked about keeping emotions in check, Arteta said: “We talk about those things and  have to understand that each ground is different.

“Playing home or away is very different. Their attitude, what they celebrate and what they don’t, is really very different up north as well to here in London. “It’s part of the context of the game. They’re a very difficult team to play.”. Arteta learned how riling up fans can change a game — once clashing with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and helping inspire Liverpool to a 4-0 win over Arsenal  in 2021.

He has bad experiences  of St James’, losing his last two visits there 1-0, including a controversial clash in November 2023 that saw the Spaniard charged for his comments towards officials. Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon helped the Toon sink Arteta’s men in the first leg  on January 5. But Arsenal have won four games on the spin, scoring 11, and are looking forward to a mid-season Dubai break after tonight’s clash.

Arteta explained: “When you compare the emotional state of the team  after the defeat to Newcastle and how we are today, it’s so different. “We come from some  very strong performances and great wins, especially the last one  against Man City. So it is momentum. “Next stop is a Wembley final so we know how big that is and you can feel it. “We have a break after this game as well. “So it’s the moment to go full gas and try to approach it in a way  we believe is  best  to win that final.”.

Left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, is likely to be thrown into another battle from the off after netting his first senior goal against City on Sunday. Fellow academy kid Ethan Nwaneri, 17 — who scored against Pep Guardiola’s men as well — is also in with a chance of starting tonight. Arteta added: “It’s about how they compete, not just how they play. In order to be very emotional, very stable, you have to be composed and confident in yourself.