Mikel Arteta is fighting to overcome Arsenal’s striker difficulties, which have seen the Gunners’ Premier League championship challenge fade in recent weeks.
Mikel Arteta has been reminded that he would need to be patient as he works to resolve Arsenal’s offensive difficulties.
The Arsenal manager has watched his team’s championship challenge weaken in recent weeks as they have struggled to score goals. Brentford striker Ivan Toney is one of their main targets for the January transfer window.
However, while supporters and experts feel a new forward should be signed this month, Arteta has been warned he may have to wait. Alan Smith, a Gunners veteran, feels the club’s scoring problems cannot be solved quickly.
PHOTO :Alan Smith
“When you knock on the door so many times, you believe the goals will come. When you obtain one or two, it doesn’t seem as difficult. Smith told Sky Sports News, “It’s amazing how many opportunities they create.”
“But I covered the Fulham game in between the West Ham and Liverpool games, and they didn’t generate anything, which is when you should be concerned. They generated some beautiful things against Liverpool but were unable to score.
“There’s a lot of chatter about a new striker, but it appears Mikel Arteta lacks the cash to bring in a big name. They will have to make do with what they have. They spent a lot of money over the summer, and I heard they needed to sell players.
We’ll see whether they can do anything in January. As much as Arsenal supporters would like to see a new forward join the club, it would cost over £100 million these days, which I don’t believe they have at the moment. It will have to be a moment of patience.”
Arsenal’s scoring troubles were on full show on Sunday, as they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Liverpool. The Gunners were in control for much of the game, with 18 shots in total.
But they could not find a way past Reds keeper Alisson and were left shell-shocked by two late goals from the visitors. Gunners fans chanted for a new striker to be signed in January, though Arteta played those down.
“We didn’t take the chances, I haven’t seen any other team in the first six months that have generated what we have done against them in the last two games and we’re not capitalising – not today, in the last few games – that’s why we are not winning games,” he said.
What I beg of the supporters is that they stick with the team and have done so throughout difficult times. Stick with the ones we have; they are excellent. If not, they should not repeat their actions from today, both at Anfield and here.
“Stick with them; they need to know that we are completely behind them. Then they feel important and encouraged because they deserve it; given their mentality, they don’t deserve anything else. That is my view.
“One thing we need, one thing we can do, and all we have to do now is stand behind those players. We will not invent or reinvent the wheel since they have already done it.
