Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has emphasized his desire to sign a forward this summer following the club\'s Champions League semifinal exit to Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners will end a fifth consecutive season without silverware despite showing consistent progress under Arteta\'s leadership.
\"Do I have to make it more clear? In January it was clear or not?\" Arteta said when questioned about recruiting a striker. \"I told you because you were in the room I think many times and it was a very clear statement. The statement continues the same.\"
Sources have informed ESPN that Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting Lisbon), and Alexander Isak (Newcastle) are on Arsenal\'s transfer shortlist. These potential acquisitions come after Arsenal failed to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa during the January window.
Striker Position \"Hardest to Fill\"
Arteta acknowledged the difficulty in securing a prolific goalscorer, noting the scarcity of such players in the market.
\"Probably they are [the toughest to acquire] because there\'s not that many that put those numbers [up]. It\'s something that\'s in the stats. There\'s not that many in the Premier League,\" the Arsenal manager explained.
The North London club has struggled for consistent goal production at critical moments this season. After scoring 91 goals last campaign, Arsenal have managed just 64 goals with three matches remaining.
\"I want the best team, the best player. If we have three goal scorers over 25, bring them in and we\'re going to be a much better team,\" Arteta added.
Despite the search for new talent, Arteta emphasized his commitment to developing current squad members: \"I will try to improve but certainly improve the ones that we have right now and love the ones that we have right now.\"
Arteta also confirmed Arsenal will give Liverpool a guard of honor at Anfield on Sunday, acknowledging his side has taken \"a step backwards\" in the Premier League this season with 67 points from 35 matches compared to last season\'s 89-point total.
Via James Olley/ESPN