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Arteta responds to Arsenal’s striker search amid goal frenzy

By on March 5, 2024

Arsenal 6:0 Sheffield

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he ‘really loves’ the players he already has at his disposal, despite transfer speculation tying him to a striker move.

Arsenal had no choice but to pick up three points on Monday night after Liverpool’s disputed 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest and Manchester City’s 3-1 victory against United.

Fortunately, the Gunners trounced Sheffield United on Match Day 27, as they have done every Premier League game since the winter break. The North Londoners scored five goals in the first 45 minutes: Martin Odegaard, Jayden Bogle (own goal), Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Declan Rice all got on the scoresheet.

Arsenal’s dominance carried into the second half, but they only scored one, with Ben White making it 6-0 in the 58th minute. Sheffield were so outplayed that they lacked the means to test Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya; they had no shots on target.

Arteta was pleased with his team’s performance. He praised his squad’s effort on and off the field, noting the squad boost due to injury returns, and expressed satisfaction that his side kept a clean sheet.

“I love the way the team played with the quality we showed,” Arteta told the BBC.

“The aggression as well with and without the ball, but we are really happy with the way we played and also kept a clean sheet.

“We have to continue what we are doing and I’m happy to get some players back like Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey – now it’s about maintaining momentum.

“We will enjoy this today and then it is Brentford – we will keep going.”

Arsenal boss coy on striker search

For the better part of this season, Arsenal fans and pundits have urged the club to recruit a clinical striker in order to progress. However, Arteta remains coy about his team’s striker search. After the win over Sheffield United, he revealed that he ‘loves’ the players he has at his disposal and it’s up to him and his coaching staff to get the best out of them.

“We really love our players and it’s our job to improve them and give them the resources and put them in situations that they can explore their qualities,” he added.

With 31 goals in seven games, it’s easy to suggest Arsenal no longer need to sign a striker. However, Arteta and his technical team will probably known they could still do with another front-man.

Games like the round-of-16 1-0 Champions League loss to Porto a few weeks ago, in which they (Arsenal) failed to register a single shot on target, served as a stark reminder of how ineffective Arsenal’s striking department can be.

Arsenal may have discovered their magic in front of goal, but that should not deter them from bringing in a world class striker to help the club compete for all trophies next season.

Arsenal require someone in the box to keep opposition defenses on their toes. One of Victor Osimhen, Joshua Zirkzee, Ivan Toney, or Viktor Gyokeres, their striker targets, would do the trick.

Arteta and Edu being brave enough to spend money on a marquee striker acquisition might make Arsenal the real deal for seasons to come.