Arteta’s transfer priority clarified by Arsenal’s Liverpool draw

Robin Bairner

• 23 Dec 2023 20:33 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield highlighted the need for the Emirates club to support manager Mikel Arteta in the January transfer window and help him secure his top priority.

While the point on Merseyside will be welcomed, it was evident that Arsenal are sorely lacking a natural No.9 to aid them in the penalty box.

On an evening in which Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were generally well restricted by the home team, Arsenal were unable to profit from what opportunities they did fashion down the flanks.

Over the course of the match, Gabriel Jesus managed four shots but just one of these was on target, while it was left to centre-back Gabriel to score the Gunners’ goal with their only other effort that caused Alisson work.

Arsenal chasing centre forwards

FootballTransfers has revealed that Arsenal are in the market for at least one centre-forward as their priority next month, and it was made clear just why in their Liverpool draw.

Victor Osimhen will not join the club, but that was never realistic for January, while the Gunners are also priced out of a deal for Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus remains a leading target while Santos youngster Marcos Leonardo is being chased with one eye on the future.

In order to truly enhance their chances of winning the Premier League, though, Arsenal have to strengthen their ranks with a natural scorer.

Jesus has only three Premier League goals to his credit, and though he took up positions to score against Liverpool, it is abundantly clear that he is not the kind of prolific forward who will decide game after game with his finishing.

Arteta has so often mirrored the work of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, whose addition of Erling Haaland to his side has lifted them to previously unattained levels.

Now it is time for Arteta to copy his mentor again and find a forward who can be decisive for Arsenal in the Premier League title race.