Arteta makes key Arsenal transfer claim before deadline

Arsenal have the money to spend. It’s been made available and once the target is honed in on and the deal agreed, they’ll pay it. After the Burnley disappointment, that money best be prepared.

So far they’ve spent nothing. The only money Arsenal have paid is the amount it cost to have Sead Kolasinac’s contract terminated. Meanwhile, without including injuries and AFCON departures, they’ve let four players depart this month.

Watching Arsenal finish January with no wins from five matches, just one goal scored, being knocked out of two cup competitions and lose ground in the hunt for the Premier League top four makes the above even more baffling.

They need to sign a striker. They absolutely have to. Fortunately, at least Mikel Arteta is aware of the issue, although it’d be remarkable if anyone wasn’t, as he insists the club are trying to bring bodies in.

Arteta makes key Arsenal transfer claim as he admits the club are trying to bring in a reinforcements before January deadline

"“It’s what we planned [signings], but the market is difficult, it’s complicated,” he said. “We knew that, but it’s a lot to manage and we have to make the right decisions with players that we believe are going to really help us and try to bring in ones that can take us to the next level.”“Well, we are certainly trying, but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do it. Let’s see, it’s not only our intention, but a lot of facts that are needed to happen.”"

Nobody is denying the difficulty of this window. That’s been proven in the fruitless pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic, which while not dead in the water, looks increasingly unlikely. But Arsenal need a striker; they have to sign one.

Lacazette isn’t physically capable of playing this quantity of minutes. He should be, he just isn’t. And on the whole the squad is so thin that Arsenal were barely able to muster up anything against Burnley from the 70th minute onwards. Tired players play tired football.

What’s worrying is that it’s hard to see where this elusive striker will come from: Vlahovic doesn’t want the move, Jonathan David is staying until the summer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expensive and an odd fit, while Alexander Isak’s release clause is eye-watering. These are the main targets and will require monumental effort, or money, to sign.

But Arsenal can’t let this go on. Aubameyang’s situation doesn’t appear closer to being resolved and the duo of Lacazette and Nketiah will not fire Arsenal into the top four. Combined they have three Premier League goals this season.

While whatever Arsenal pay this month will be a premium fee, if it propels them into the rich territory of the Champions League then it will be worth the pennies. As is, it will be an almighty struggle. When their rivals are bringing on the likes of Edinson Cavani and playing without Son Heung-min while you throw on Nketiah at left wing, you’ve got a serious issue of depth.

Get the cheques out and sign them. This paper thin squad’s chances of top four are flashing before their fatigued eyes. Arsenal are still firmly in the hunt despite of Sunday’s result, but they need help.