Mikel Arteta will hope to rejuvenate Arsenal’s season at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday following their FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand has a question in mind for Mikel Arteta and wants to confront the Arsenal boss over his transfer plans.
The Gunners hope to get their season back on track on Wednesday as they host Tottenham Hotspur three days after their FA Cup third-round penalty shootout loss to Manchester United.
In what has been a campaign ravaged by injury for Arteta, he’s now lost the services of Gabriel Jesus, who suffered an ACL injury during the match against the Red Devils.
Prior to the loss of the Brazilian striker, many believed Arsenal needed a forward. Their lack of goal threat was compounded by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury late last year.
During an episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, the United icon told co-host Joel Beya that should he have the opportunity to interview Arteta before Wednesday’s fixture, he plans to ask the Spaniard how much desire he has to bring in a striker this summer.
“If I get a chance to interview Arteta I’m going to ask him that question, that’s the one I’m going for,” the former England captain said. “‘Were you ever in the market for a number nine and if so, why didn’t you get them?’
“‘Was it the number one target of your transfer window?’ because relying on set-pieces, which you did, that was never going to be something long-term that was going to last and get you over the line to win the league.”
With Jesus set to be out of action for an extended period, Arteta admitted that the club are looking into making signings this month to bolster their attacking ranks. “My answer doesn’t change. We are actively looking into the market to improve the squad. We always have been and it would be naïve not too,” he said.
“We are looking and we are trying, so let’s see what we can do. To recruit a player there are three parties who have to agree to that. The fact I love my players doesn’t mean we can’t think about improving.
“We do daily and when the market comes around we have to make sure we have the best resources and capacity to compete the way that we want to.”
Despite the lack of availability in their forward line, the club are reportedly closing in on a £51million move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard – who rejected Liverpool last summer – will reportedly remain at his boyhood club for the rest of the season before moving to London.
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