Mikel Arteta’s job security, how striker signing impacts Arsenal boss, two-word instruction

Arsenal have been linked with a host of top forwards in the January transfer window, but have so far been unable to get a deal over the line as Mikel Arteta looks for reinforcements

Arsenal legend David Seaman has called for fans to “calm down” as Mikel Arteta’s position as manager comes under scrutiny over the club’s struggle to sign a new striker.

The north Londoners are reportedly in pursuit of Newcastle’s prolific goalscorer Alexander Isak and Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres as they look to bolster their attack. Arteta’s options up front took a heavy blow last weekend when Gabriel Jesus suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a disappointing FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

With Bukayo Saka also out of action until at least March following surgery, the spotlight falls on Kai Havertz, Arsenal’s leading marksman with a tally of seven goals so far. Supporting efforts from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have seen them notch up 10 goals between them, whereas Saka and Jesus have chipped in with five and three goals respectively.

Despite being joint third-top scorers in the Premier League, there’s a growing belief that more striking power is necessary to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, but securing high-profile players mid-season is notoriously difficult. While Arteta is tied to the Emirates Stadium until 2027, rumours about his future have been buzzing due to the departure of Edu, Arsenal’s former sporting director, last November, with no successor yet named.

But Arsenal legend David Seaman has called for a sense of stability and clarified that the club’s search for a new striker won’t ruffle Arteta’s tenure, reports Football London. Discussing the pressures on Arteta, Seaman shared his thoughts on the Seaman Says podcast, as reported by Betway.

“All the backlash is coming from that he [Arteta] hasn’t brought in an out-and-out striker,” Seaman said. “That’s where a lot of the frustration comes in. I saw Piers Morgan talking about, ‘break the bank and go and get [Alexander] Isak.’ Alright Piers, in your world that might happen, but in the football world it’s not as easy as that.

“Newcastle aren’t going to let [Isak] go, anyway. To get a marquee signing in the January transfer window is very rare, so it’ll be set up in the summer. It just depends on what goes on up to then. Then we see people missing chances and we’re thinking that a proper striker would put those away.”

The former goalkeeper backed Arteta, stressing that Arsenal are in a good place, and offered words of encouragement to the fans. However, he did acknowledged the club’s lack of “out and out” strikers compared to their rivals.

“But for me, [Arteta] stays, there’s no doubt about it. It’s still progression,” he added. “We’re still up there, we’re genuine contenders. OK, it’s just simmering at the moment, we’re not boiling. I look at City: out-and-out striker. “Liverpool have got almost four out-and-out strikers.

“Even United have. All these teams have out-and-out strikers. We’ve still got the Champions League, a small chance in the league, a very, very small chance in the League Cup. But you never know. Just calm down a little bit, Arsenal fans. We’re still doing alright.”

Chatting after Arsenal’s 2-1 win in the north London derby this week, Arteta was clear that the Gunners are looking to build upon their stuttering attack in January. He said: “For sure we are going to try on the market and we want to reinforce the attack. We’ve lost two big players, Bukayo [Saka] for up for three months and Gabriel Jesus will be out for a long time.”

Prior to the clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta claimed he has a ‘very clear idea’ of who he wants to sign, with the Spaniard teasing: “We know who we want to sign. ” While speaking ahead of the weekend’s games, Arteta once again clarified that the club are on the hunt for a new forward.

“At the moment we don’t have them [a striker],” he said “We are trying, as I said, actively to find the best possible solution. We will have to wait and see what we can do.”

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