Mikel Arteta has said it “does not look realistic” for Arsenal to sign a striker in January as he admits his team’s goal-scoring woes have become a psychological problem.
The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage on Sunday as Liverpool won 2-0 at Emirates Stadium courtesy of Jakub Kiwior‘s 80th-minute own goal and a stoppage-time strike from Luis Díaz.
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Arsenal have now scored just once from 63 shots since Christmas, increasing pressure on the club to move for a striker in the January transfer window with Brentford‘s Ivan Toney their top target.
However, Brentford value Toney at around £80 million and are reluctant to sell mid-season, leaving Arteta to admit a move for a natural goal scorer this month is unlikely as things stand.
Arsenal have now won just one of their last seven games in all competitions including three defeats in a row after losses to West Ham United and Fulham.
When asked whether their wasted opportunities had become a mental issue, Arteta replied: “Probably it has. Especially after today, more than it was against Fulham or West Ham before that.