Mikel Arteta reveals he has asked Arsenal squad which striker to sign
Mikel Arteta reveals he has asked Arsenal squad which striker to sign
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Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka have left the club on the hunt for a new forward. Mikel Arteta has revealed he is consulting his own players over which striker Arsenal should sign this month as he admitted his depleted side needs "help". In the wake of Gabriel Jesus' anterior cruciate ligament injury - which could keep the Brazilian out for a year - Arteta wants to bolster his attacking options before the transfer window closes in 10 days.
![[Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus is facing a long lay-off]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/04/c6b5718b6bac910a31b3efc5c7738fc0Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2OTg0MTY4-2.78687220.jpg)
Jesus' absence leaves Kai Havertz as the club's sole recognised striker, while Bukayo Saka is also expected to be sidelined until at least March with the hamstring tear he sustained at Crystal Palace on 21 December. Declan Rice said recently that he would "not be surprised if we do something" in this window. And when asked if the players have told him they need more bodies, Arteta replied: "Not like that, but we have all been there, and we all look at each other.
"We have very, very short numbers for many, many weeks and they recognise the situation, we all do. That's why we are trying to do what is right for the club, the team, that's our intention.". Arteta, speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash at Wolves on Saturday, was then pushed on whether he is speaking to his current squad about signing new players.
"I always do it, especially if they know them because that's getting us away from the computer and what the data is saying and it is real," he said. "I have seen it, I sense it. A player can score a lot of goals, great. How does this player react when he hasn't scored for six or seven games? This is what I am interested in.
