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.
Mikel Arteta has admitted his disappointment at not adding another attacker to the Arsenal squad[/caption]
Arsenal were in for Ollie Watkins at one stage but failed to strike a deal[/caption]
But Arteta believes Kai Havertz can lead them to glory[/caption]
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.
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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.”
Arteta warns stars against firing up Toon
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.
“They will try to expose you as well. But those boys have gone through these challenges.
“The bigger the game got, the better they became, which is not so easy to do.”
Following the resignation of Edu in November, Arsenal have relied on inexperienced interim sporting director Jason Ayto to negotiate deals, alongside Arteta, managing director Richard Garlick and head of recruitment James Ellis.
Arteta revealed the club will make a decision on who takes up the post permanently “relatively quickly”.
He explained: “When you try your best and you do things with the right process, and see the people that we all share the same intentions and wills, and after you don’t achieve it, for sure there are things to learn from it. There always are.
“Jason and the team have done a really good job. But then it’s the transfer market — and it’s complicated.
“But you have to move on. Now I focus on the numbers that we have and just how to maximise them. It’s remarkable what the team have done so far.
“There are times when we have only had 13 players out there training — that’s just super, super low.
“So I’m expecting when the players who are not fit return we’re going to be better.”
Arsenal player ratings vs Man City
ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.
It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years.
Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated…
David Raya – 7/10
Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.
William Saliba – 5
Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser – a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8
Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.
His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian’s ‘Lotus’ celebration went down a storm with fans.
Thomas Partey – 7
Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.
Declan Rice – 6
Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.
Kai Havertz – 6
Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later. Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.
SUBS
Ethan Nwaneri – 83 (on for Trossard) – 7
Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.
Mikel Merino – 83 (on for Odegaard) – 5
Raheem Sterling – 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) – N/A
Riccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) – N/A
Read more on all the latest Arsenal news.
Forward Jesus’ major knee operation will potentially keep him out for the rest of 2025, while Gunners talisman Saka is targeting a March return.
So Arteta must rely solely on Havertz to deliver the goods for the rest of the campaign.
Havertz boasts 15 goals in all competitions so far — a career best in England — and has started 29 of Arsenal’s 37 games this term.
If he got injured, it would be a hammer blow ahead of a Champions League last-16 tie next month and as they try to close the six-point gap to Arne Slot’s Reds who also have a game in hand.
Havertz scored in Sunday’s 5-1 win over Manchester City. Asked if he could start every game until May, Arteta said: “It’s possible.
“He has played a lot of football but his robustness, his availability, has been unbelievable.
“Genetically, he is a powerhouse. He’s so well-built. He’s a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do. His body just absorbs everything.
“And when you see the professional side, how he lives his life, it is immaculate.
“When something works, don’t touch him.”
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