Arsenal news: Pep Guardiola shares Mikel Arteta complaint as Gunners transfer failure laid bare

Arsenal have a big few weeks up ahead as they look to keep alive their trophy chances in the Champions League while overcoming a mini-blip in the Premier League

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are bracing themselves for a huge fortnight as they attempt to salvage their season.

The Gunners are due to take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League round of 16, with the first leg in the Netherlands on Tuesday night and the second in London coming eight days later. In between those matches is a big Premier League clash, away at Manchester United on Sunday.

After two league games without a goal, Arsenal find themselves 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Champions League could now provide their best chance of a trophy, though that won’t be easy either with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid awaiting if they overcome PSV.

An early FA Cup exit means Arteta’s team have had a weekend off, but there’s been plenty going on away from the pitch. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from North London.

Guardiola echoes Arteta

Pep Guardiola had some match-ball complaints after Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth round win on Saturday, echoing Mikel Arteta’s complaints after Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle. Guardiola’s Manchester City team evetually got past Plymouth Argyle but only after suffering a first-half scare when they fell behind to Maxi Talovierov’s goal.

“I don’t know how many chances or shots we had that maybe were not on target due to the ball,” Guardiola said of the FA Cup ball, which is a different one to those used in the Premier League and Carabao Cup. “The ball is difficult to bring it where you want because sometimes, this ball does whatever the ball wants”

Arteta shared similar concerns back in January after the first leg of the Newcastle clash. “It’s tricky that this ball flies a lot,” the Spaniard said. “We discussed that as well, so there are details that we can do better.”

Gunners’ transfer failure clear

Former Arsenal star Alan Smith warned the club about their lack of attacking options after Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah were allowed to leave in the summer. Smith Rowe and Nelson joined Fulham, the latter on loan, while Nketiah completed a £25m switch to Crystal Palace.

DId Arsenal make a mistake last summer? Have your say in the comments section

“Arsenal have generated good money for the academy boys,” Smith told CasinoApps in September. “Nketiah and Smith Rowe left for good sums, while Nelson went out on loan. That gave them an opportunity to raise some much-needed funds because of the new financial rules that the clubs have to adhere to.

“I do think the Gunners are a bit light through the middle in the striker position. Gabriel Jesus keeps on picking up injuries – he’s out at the moment – and we don’t know how close he is to fitness. It’s difficult to rely on him. If he is injured, then you’ve just got to have what you have, which isn’t ideal.”

Arsenal’s potential new-look XI

With Arsenal on track for another second place finish, attention is turning to what they need to do over the summer. The main priority is clear, with plenty of names floated as part of the hunt for a new striker, but it doesn’t end there.

Mikel Arteta has successfully upgraded his squad in recent windows, but with rivals strengthening he can’t afford to stand still. The London side could return for players they missed out on last summer, or turn to new targets.

Regardless of any new additions, the return of some injured stars should go some way to strengthening Arteta’s hand. We’ve looked at how Arsenal might line up next term.

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